893.00/10–2848: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—3:31 a. m.]
439. Embassy telegram 17714 today confirmed. Government New First, New Third, New Sixth, Fortieth North and Seventy-first Armies surrounded by Communists in attempt drive southwards to evacuate through Yingkow. Contact lost with above armies. Remnants expected straggle into Mukden area through Hsinmin. Two Government divisions Yingkow area reported being withdrawn northwards to Mukden Island. Possibility evacuation northeast troops to intramural China through Yingkow considered impracticable.
Probably only token resistance will be offered any Communist attack on Mukden. Army airfield being defended by 20 artillery pieces. Communist forces some 15 miles north Mukden not in sufficient strength capture city if Government troops choose to resist. If Communists appear in any force, very likely Government defenders will [Page 525] capitulate with little if any defensive action since morale troops very low. Possible Communists [now feel?] Mukden so weakly defended that they may not bother attacking, will surround city with inferior troops, and, after completely neutralizing Government armies west Mukden, will again move in force against Hulutao.
Rumors current Generalissimo being held virtual prisoner Peiping by Li Tsung-jen group in process form coalition Government.
Sent Nanking 589, repeated Department 439.
- Not printed.↩