893.00 Manchuria/8–847: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 8—5:40 a.m.]
1674. Outstanding criticism of Central Government take-over of Manchuria has been duality of control as between Generalissimo’s field headquarters for northeast and Northeast China Command resulting in wasteful duplication. Embassy has been informed by a source believed reliable that General Chen Cheng, present Chief of Staff, will shortly assume overall command Manchuria, thus eliminating present duality of control.
[Page 249]This move, if carried out, will probably have good effect in Manchuria but will not of itself eliminate other major criticism of Government that Manchurian “native sons” are being ignored in Government administration of northeast, nor will it of itself solve immediate and pressing military problems. It is, however, a hopeful sign that Government is endeavoring to take constructive action Manchuria.