893.00/6–3047: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p.m.]
1431. Following is Changchun’s 270 to Embassy June 25:
“Mayor Chao stated in small gathering last night that there was no intention to withdraw from Manchuria, that such withdrawal had been in fact one of several alternative plans put forward by Nanking strategists but had not been adopted (reContel June 24, 9 a.m., repeated Dept as Embtel 1420, June 28, 1 p.m.87). He stated further that director Gimo’s northeast headquarters, Hsiung Shih-hui, had proposed withdrawal from Kirin but proposal was rejected, that similar proposal (by inference by another than Hsiung) to withdraw from Changchun had made Gimo ‘very angry’.
Chao opined that relief forces from south would arrive at Ssupingkai in 1 week (see Contel June 23, 9 a.m. to Dept88). Police chief, (who was not informant quoted Conreftel, June 23) also present, estimated 4 days.
[Page 209]Mayor told me few days back that any Nationalist counteroffensive would probably depend on orders from Gimo. He and Sun Li-jen seem now to take position, perhaps unsound, that Communist force in field is actually weak and can be readily overcome with Nationalist forces at hand. Chao last night said he thought Communists were now withdrawing north inferentially beyond Sungari. This remains to be proved. ESD pilot yesterday observed extensive fires in west part Ssupingkai presumably held by Communists. Clubb.”
Sent Nanking, repeated Mukden, Peiping.