893.00/4–2847: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 29—1:30 a.m.]
916. T. V. Soong,89 who returned to Nanking to attend inaugural session of State Council, sent for Philip Fugh90 Sunday April 27 and notified him of [for] conveyance to me that Chinese Government was requesting aid in the form of:
(1) Immediate financial assistance in the matter of wheat and cotton loans in unspecified amounts;91 (2) ammunition; (3) complete implementation of 8⅓ group program; (4) appointment of American Military adviser to Generalissimo.
I saw Generalissimo that evening when he reiterated these requests and asked me to convey them to you. In explanation as regards 1, he emphasized the rapid deterioration in the economic and financial situation; as regards 2, that although the military situation was improving and with needed ammunition war could be ended by August or September, the officers of lower rank were becoming aware of the ammunition supply shortage and it was affecting their morale, especially in Manchuria; as regards 3, that the airplanes were old and pilots dared not fly too low; as regards 4, a Supreme Military Adviser to him was urgently needed and that he wished to repeat the statement made to you that he would give such an officer the full authority he would gladly have given you. In this connection he emphasized that there should be a complete reorganization of Chinese Army.
In order to obtain further clarification, Butterworth and I called on Generalissimo at 9:30 this evening. The discussion began with the 8⅓ group program and it was pointed out that there were 56,000 tons of air force supplies and equipment in Kunming and Chengtu—half were usable or reparable—plans for the moving of which had been for some time on the desk of the Chief of Staff. This the Generalissimo did not know and indicated that he would look into the matter tomorrow. It was also pointed out that the forthcoming movement of tactical groups from Nanking–Shanghai area would not, [Page 825] according to present plans, be accompanied by service groups and that this would entail senseless attrition. The Generalissimo was unaware of these proposed dispositions and offered to look into the matter. Similarly, the morale factor in Manchuria was discussed in terms other than shortage of ammunition supply. Generalissimo vouchsafed the fact that these had indeed played too prominent a part. As regards the ammunition, reference was made in general terms to the information contained in top secret despatch 612 of April 492 and to the fact that General Yu Ta-wei had handed to General Gillem a report—which had been despatched to Washington and was no doubt receiving appropriate consideration (see Department’s [Embassy’s] 675, of April 2893)—on authoritative figures regarding the existing supply of American type ammunition. Generalissimo indicated that he was not familiar with the details of the cotton position and made the suggestion that the Cabinet officials concerned should study the matter and go over the situation with the Embassy. Question of military adviser was not touched upon.
Although Generalissimo inclined to reiterate that the requests made the previous day be transmitted to you, Madame Chiang who attended meeting used her influence to the end that these matters were left in the discussion stage.
General Chang Chun94 who obviously had been sidetracked by T. V. Soong’s initiative was on this occasion present but took no part in the proceedings.