893.00/5–1948: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 21—7:59 a. m.]
216. Immediate Communist military threat to Mukden has been reduced. Two of three best Communist columns in Ssuping area which heretofore constituted threat Mukden reported by Chinese sources have moved westward. Communist 1st column now in Fu-hsin area with advance unite in Chinchow area, and either Communist 6th or 3d column now in Changwu moving eastward. Only one of the columns remains north Mukden.
Major Government military problem Mukden is lack food. Army attempting alleviate this by requisitioning all available plane space airlift food supplies. Local manager CAT55 states Chinese have requested them increase number flights into Mukden to 30 per day. Chinese aiding in this by increasing number flights CAT can have in air at one time, permitting them bring additional planes from Japan, and rushing repairs under military supervision and labor to civilian airports Mukden area. CAT receiving complete cooperation Mukden military. CAT believes will be able average 22 flights daily into Mukden in near future. These flights coupled with more flights by CNAC,56 CATC57 and CAF58 may bring total incoming flights here to 50 in near future. Acute military food shortage (one week’s supply when move started) will probably mean little if any food for civilian consumption.
Unofficial source alleges Chinese Ministry Defense had plan several months ago move over armies and NEBSH59 from Mukden to Chinchow. Planned leave only token force Mukden. Plan resisted by military here and final decision made by Gimo leave all military forces here and try hold Chinchow area and prevent Communist thrust into North China with reinforcements sent from intramural China.
Sent to Nanking as 283; repeated Department.