893.00/7–2648: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26—8:48 a. m.]
312. Recent Government raid all fronts successful from Govt viewpoint. No intention on part Government open and hold corridor Yingkow or seize and hold localities garrisoned by isolated units susceptible to later annihilation by superior numbers Communist troops. NEBSH states raid started to accomplish following objectives:
- 1.
- Make contact Communist troops and destroy as many as possible.
- 2.
- Protect grain presently held lost areas and seize wheat harvest in areas from which Communists driven.
- 3.
- Determine whether reorganization Government armies by Wei successful and to prove to Wei he can now expect complete coordination various ground units, with each other, with air support and with artillery.
- 4.
- Prove to local population still have potent fighting force protecting them.
Reports emulating [emanating?] sources within NEBSH indicate Wei satisfied with execution campaign plans. Raid succeeded in reducing Communist 4th column from good second rate column to very poor third rate unit. All grain in Government-held areas being harvested without molestation and some wheat in Communist-held areas obtained. Excellent coordination, cooperation, leadership and morale displayed during action, which will probably serve to rationalize emotional attitude northeasterners toward shooting students Peiping.
Government not expected attempt hold advance positions and may within coming week fall back to prepared positions held prior beginning raid, although possible Government may attempt hold Liaoyang. Raid has demonstrated that should it become expedient to Wei to open Mukden-Yingkow corridor, he has ability to open even though ability hold questionable.
Government activities South Mukden have not relieved Communist pressure on Changchun. Recent reports state Communists now moving one their first rate columns (second) to Changchun area to intensify siege.
Sent Nanking 392, repeated Department 312.