893.01/12–348: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—8:36 a. m.]
2409. ReDeptel 1731, November 30, 8 p. m.18 On November 29 Vice Minister Foreign Affairs advised Dean of Diplomatic Corps he had been charged with arranging transportation and accommodations for Corps when capital moved to new city. We subsequently learned that approved Government plan calls for moving Executive, Legislative, Judicial and Control Yuans to Canton and Examination Yuan, plus sections of other Yuans in certain other Government bureaus to Chungking. Probably the Ministry of National Defense goes to Nanchang with Air Force and Navy moving to Taiwan. Very considerable exodus from Nanking has already taken place and is continuing.
Generalissimo has, however, been persuaded that to make any public announcement now of this move would cause a panic, but that if move is to take place at all it must be now. It was decided, therefore, that move would continue as projected though there will be public denial of it and certain key figures in Government will remain here until last moment to lend credibility to public announcements. Apparently Government also does not believe it will be able to move entire Government and will therefore abandon bottom third or half of most Government officers to shift for themselves. Considerable bitterness is being generated among many Government workers because they are told to evacuate as best they can but are not given any funds or other assistance.
Embassy would appreciate being currently informed on developments in your area arising from above decisions.
Sent circular Chungking, Kunming, Canton, Hong Kong, Taipei: repeated Department 2409.
- Not printed.↩