893.2222/8–2347: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

1778. Fragmentary reports reaching the Embassy from a variety of points as widely separated as Canton and Chengtu indicate that the situation described in Shanghai’s 2030, August 21 to Department with regard to the administration of the conscription program is essentially the same throughout Government-controlled areas.

The Embassy has received no information that conscription is being carried out other than by the familiar press gang technique which has long been a characteristic of recruitment for the Chinese Army.

Stuart