893.00/1–948: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden ( Ward ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 13—6:08 a. m.]
13. Government neutralizing loss localities such as Changwu and Hsinglungtien by inflicting serious casualties on Communist [attacker?]. [Page 27] Magistrate of Changwu orally informed ConGen [that] Communists informed him they lost 30,000 men and expended 15,000 artillery shells effecting capture small village Changwu after 14-day siege. One Government division supposedly very inferior troops held village until situation hopeless. Source states local inhabitants so impressed morale Government forces [that?] all living officers and local officials concealed by populace and assisted [to] escape. Communists, so infuriated by Government defense, abandoned usual tactics, kind treatment wounded, and killed majority Government wounded. Communists used considerable captured American equipment in attack. Communists also advised source Lin Piao, with headquarters between Faku and Changwu, personally directing present Communist offensive.
Government units annihilated (mytel 17, January 948) cause failure Government reinforcements ordered failed arrive. Sources within PNEH disclosed considerable and growing friction Chen Cheng and Whampoa clique. Troops destroyed considered as Chen troops and reinforcement as those Whampoa clique. This clique striving discredit Chen and effect his replacement by one their members. Same source believed majority recent Government losses could have been prevented if there was coordinated and cooperative action within PNEH. This friction and disorganization increasing. Necessity for strong leadership (mytel 11 [7?], January 649) becoming increasingly apparent.
Government took some sting out of defeat Hsinglungtien (mytel 17, January 9) when Government reinforcements consisting one division new First Army encircled one Communist division and succeeded destroying this force and in capturing city.
Government success defending strong points and inflicting inordinate casualties Communist attackers creating confidence local populace military security Mukden. Communist losses, which although probably exaggerated, still believed substantially accurate and have definitely improved morale Government troops and civilians. If Government now has military leader who could command complete coordination and cooperation, believe devastating blows could be dealt over-extended and perhaps over-confident Communists.
Sent Embassy, repeated Department as 13, Changchun as 11, Peiping as 13, Tientsin 10.