893.00/10–747: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7—5:38 a.m.]
304. Generalissimo instructed Chen Cheng several days ago [that] all localities Manchuria except Kirin (including Hsiao Feng Man dam), Fushun, Anshan and Mukden may be surrendered to Communists but these four named places must be held at all costs.
Chen Cheng’s chief of staff realizing incapability making snap decision of the present Communist offensive so advised Chen. Chao Chia-hsiang, former chief of staff NECC,4 “purged and exiled Chin-chow” by Chen, recalled Mukden late evening October 3 and asked by Chen Cheng assume chief of staff position. He told Chen Cheng [it] was useless for him take job because Chen had frittered away 2 months vitally needed in preparing for Communist offensive. After further urging he stated would assume command NE only if given absolute military command and his orders would be supreme not to be countermanded by anyone, civil or military, including Chen Cheng. Chen Cheng accepted and Chao Chia-hsiang at present in complete command [Page 318] as chief of staff Nationalist military forces NE. Source unusually well-informed Chinese with very close top PNEH6 connections.
Sent Nanking as 431; repeated Department as 304, sent Changchun by mail as 287.