893.00/6–2548: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 25—3:56 a. m.]
1146. Following receipt of personal letter from Generalissimo, General Pai Chung-hsi this week agreed to assume command Central China Bandit Suppression Headquarters with authority direct military operations between Yellow River and Yangtze on north and south and Anhui provincial border and line running north and south through Tungkuan at Yellow River bend on east and west. Given Pai’s competence, if allowed free hand, and if he receives no interference from Generalissimo, he should be able stabilize military situation in area where he holds command responsibility and insure safety Hankow area and river communications west of Hankow.
Military situation north China appears considerably improved as result last week’s fighting between Kupeikou and outer defenses Tangshan. While General Fu Tso-yi failed destroy main CCP force in that area, he inflicted heavy losses and succeeded in defending all important garrisoned points. Fu showed determination in defense and in pursuit attackers uncommon with Nationalist field commanders. Also reports indicate Fu has succeeded improving security his line communications to Chahar and Suiyuan and control Kupeikou.
In Manchuria reported assault Changchun appears diminishing with Nationalist garrison holding all inner defenses. Aerial flight over city by Military Attaché failed to reveal signs of combat on scale reported by press and Chinese military. Mukden and Chinchow areas remain quiet with local Nationalist commanders unwilling venture from prepared positions to open communications. Bulk Communist Manchurian forces now appear to be either between Mukden and Changchun or west Chinchow and Nationalists have capability open rail-line either Mukden–Chinchow or Mukden–Yingkow. However, commanders seem unwilling commit forces to battle probably on basis reluctance deplete manpower and material which Government likely unwilling or unable to replace.
[Page 318]No major changes reported on southern Shantung front in past 2 weeks. While Chinese military reported heavy fighting north Hsu-chow, near Yenchowfu, Military Attaché’s aerial reconnaissance again failed reveal signs combat.
On Lunghai front Nanking Supreme Headquarters admits loss Kaifeng on June 22 following heavy Communist assault which left city in flames. Aerial flight over city on following day revealed no damage on reported scale. Loss Kaifeng has more political than military significance since Communists have been able bypass city at will in movements in vicinity. Govt has repeatedly asserted city impregnable and its fall comes as considerable shock.46 Legislative Yuan question Minister National Defense and Chief of State [Staff] on June 24 and violent criticism of Govt conduct military operations central China is anticipated.
In general, with exception of North China, deterioration of Govt’s military position continues. Field commanders are reporting all contacts with enemy as major battles, and are withdrawing to fortified positions or surrendering in avoidance of combat. Nanking supreme headquarters is probably not fully nor correctly informed of operational details by field commanders, and indications are that their orders to field receive only that degree of compliance which field commanders desire to give. While no general Nationalist military collapse appears imminent, there are no factors now apparent operating to prevent further deterioriation. Communist armies while experiencing many difficulties mainly along line of lack of material and food shortages maintain their ascendancy and must continue to do so until Nationalists develop offensive spirit and improve efficiency their command structure.
Pouched Shanghai, Peiping, Mukden, Tsingtao, Hong Kong, Canton.
- Government troops captured Kaifeng on June 25.↩