893.00/6–2648
The Consul General at Hong Kong (McKenna) to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)48
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum49 which has been prepared by Vice Consul R. M. Service, reporting on a conversation with Mr. C. Y. Li, of the Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee, on June 15, 1948.
In this interview Mr. Li stated that Marshal Li Chi-shen, on the evening of June 14, 1948, had revealed that the rapid deterioration of the military situation, and the unlikelihood of an imminent change in American policy, rendered it necessary for the KmtRC to establish, as soon as practicable, a rebel Government within China. According to Mr. Li, Marshal Li is unwilling to take this step before certain “key figures” of the KmtRC, now in Nanking, can depart from China; Mr. Li claimed that the Marshal hopes that the Embassy can assist these individuals to leave the country. Mr. Li also claimed that Marshal Li desired contact with the Embassy through a Foreign Service Officer after the establishment of a “Provisional Government”. Mr. [Page 322] Li said that Marshal Li had agreed to the release of important additional information to the Embassy, and that these data would be furnished to the Consulate General as soon as possible.
Respectfully yours,