893.00/6–548: Telegram

The Consul General at Tsingtao ( Turner ) to the Secretary of State

99. Strong92 returned from Tsinan with following information for Bird June 5: Commie columns which crossed Yellow River north of Hotze still inactive west of Tsingsin. Two columns some 10 miles north of Taian. One column attacking Tawenkow south of Taian. Railway not cut south of Yenchowfu but 4 bridges damaged. Wang Yao-wu93 expects Commies attack Tsining, Yenchowfu and hopeful of month of fighting there which will carry into rainy season. Hopes rains will immobilize Commies for 6 weeks to 2 months. Estimate Tsinan secure through end June. Population orderly. Exodus not large scale.

All foreign missionaries are represented on committee established to arrange orderly evacuation mission and Cheeloo University personnel with effects and equipment. CAT94 providing aircraft on charter to fly direct to various destinations. All but few have decided depart. Cheeloo undecided where relocate but Tsingtao favored, subject to explanation of Ambassador Stuart’s preference for South China as against Tsingtao expressed to Lair.95 Felt that language, cost, and living factors largely favor latter city. European Catholics at Tsining, Yenchowfu moving to Shanghai area where urged by radio May 31 to expedite departure.

Reference my despatch 51, May 2796 Wang appeared view situation Shantung as hopeless and contrary to previous report not prepared yet take initiative beyond directives Nanking or discard personal loyalty to Generalissimo. Plan raise 5 new regiments which actually authorized. Previous report of intended 15 divisions or regiments incorrect. [Page 277] Deal with Marshal Yen97 not assured though liaison officers exchanged. Yen desires supply hides and iron against grain. Wang hopeful obtaining military supplies from Yen.

Wang bitter against Nanking which he claims preferred lose Shantung to permitting him build strength. Likely that he must have been given thorough verbal lashing in Nanking which left him with little spirit or will to carry on his double duty. Still talks of resigning both positions. Declared he did not ask for full military authority over Shantung for fear of being thought too ambitious and claims impossible obtain formal cooperation other Pacific[ation] area commanders in pooling efforts against Commies. He asserted preoccupation of Generalissimo and other officials with National Assembly elections caused delay in despatch of reinforcements to enable him to relieve Weihsien. This argument believed not entirely defensive.

Present atmosphere of tired hopelessness which pervades Tsinan renders retention that region against serious Commie attack almost out of question. Likely that only immediate basic change in Central Govt policy in Shantung or certainty of provision of direct regional aid to Wang by US Govt in near future can prevent loss of whole province this year except Tsingtao and possibly Chefoo. In this connection we seriously question Wang’s capacity employ modern weapons with modern strategy and tactics needed to defeat Commies. He appears still tied to outmoded static defense of walled cities, restricted mobility, and dispersion of forces in garrison duties. Provision of military aid plus relatively small sums money at regular intervals might provide sufficient stimulus for Wang. We feel that this course of action should be constantly under review in view of fact Wang now cut off from Nanking aid except by air. Alternative is aid to 11th Pacific[ation] Area (Tsingtao) Commander on basis assurance he undertake regain control Shantung Peninsula from Weihsien eastward. This area readily defensible and economically self-sustaining. Present Commander, Ting Chieh-pan, understood slated governor Kansu (Kiangsu?) Province near future being replaced at Tsingtao by General Liu En-chi, understood Shantung man now Manchuria. Liu’s military capacity unknown here. Would appreciate any information available Embassy.98 Central Govt apparently has no intention attempting retrieve Shantung. Relatively few first-line Commie troops now in Peninsula. A major diversionary move from Tsingtao might serve ease pressure further west and south.

[Page 278]

Prominent Tsinan Chinese consider new Cabinet no change for better and inclusion Ho Ying-chin99 indicates even more conservative trend.

Sent Embassy as 180, repeated Dept as 99.

Turner
  1. Robert C. Strong, Consul at Tsingtao.
  2. Governor of Shantung and senior military leader in Shantung.
  3. Civil Air Transport.
  4. H. P. Lair, associate president of Cheloo University, Tsinan.
  5. Not printed.
  6. Yen Hsi-shan, Governor of Shansi and Taiyuan Pacification Commander.
  7. The Ambassador in China indicated in his telegram No. 88, June 10, 3 p. m., to the Consul General at Tsingtao that “Liu, commander Seventy First Army was one of best military men in Manchurian campaign”. Tsingtao Files, Lot F 94, 800)
  8. As Chinese Minister of National Defense.