893.00/5–1147: Telegram

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

1023. Following the discussion reported in the fourth paragraph Embassy’s telegram 916, April 28, midnight,84 Generalissimo requested that Major Rigg and Captain Collins85 call upon him, thus following [Page 118] up the discussion re Manchuria as he had the 8–1/3 group program as reported in Embassy’s telegram 963, May 4, noon.86

Aside from answering questions regarding their personal experiences and in response to specific questions from Generalissimo, Rigg and Collins gave him the information summarized below:

Morale of Communist troops they had seen or marched with was high and retreat across Sungari River had been conducted in an orderly and unhurried fashion. Nationalist reinforcements had not arrived in time to make any effective contact with them. The other Nationalist troops were immobilized in garrison towns and field commanders were hamstrung by Tu Yu-ming’s instructions which required prior permission from his headquarters before any movement could be ordered. Communist troops could now out-march Nationalists since latter had been so long garrisoned. Communists freely stated that First Army under General Sun Li-jen (see Embassy’s telegram 965, May 4, 4 p.m.86a) was by far the most effective force they had met with.

Stuart
  1. Post, p. 824.
  2. Maj. Robert B. Rigg and Capt. John W. Collins, Assistant Military Attachés in China.
  3. Post, p. 826.
  4. Not printed.