701.0093/12–348: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—6:00 a. m.]
2410. Dean Diplomatic Corps called full meeting December 2 to report Foreign Office statement that, although Government would remain Nanking, it would provide transportation to Canton and lodging in Yi-chun hotel gratis to diplomatic dependents and members [Page 858] of staff unwilling remain Nanking under threatening conditions. Protocol Department Foreign Office would accept requests from individual missions.
We know from our own sources that Government has been vacillating on subject removal elsewhere and that, in spite of present announced intention remain Nanking, individual organs of Government iire, with tacit approval Generalissimo, planning removal elsewhere, but principally to Canton. The Generalissimo has told us of his firm intention to fight Communists on Huai River, then at Nanking, and if necessary from Canton or elsewhere in China unto death. This, in spite of fact that he has lost support vast majority Chinese people and retains loyalty leading officials surrounding him largely on basis personal relationships and habit of following Generalissimo’s lead.
Thus, with unorganized and attempted secret plans for removal, we can expect most hurried and disorderly abandonment of Nanking by Government when serious actual military threat to security city has developed. Under these conditions our present anticipation is that Government will leave in manner which will make it impossible for Diplomatic Corps, with the best of good will, to follow it immediately. Chinese Government has no grasp of the magnitude of the task of moving the diplomatic body and is not taking adequate measures. British Commonwealth Missions appear already to have taken position that they will remain in Nanking, sending representatives with Government wherever it may go and there would in fact be advantages in retaining Chief of Mission in Nanking until situation clarifies.
Accordingly, if situation develops as we anticipate, it may be found desirable when Government flees in disorder to designate Consul General Ludden in Canton as concurrently First Secretary of Embassy to maintain contact with Government should it flee there. Transportation and time permitting, we could strengthen his staff from Nanking. There is already an Assistant Military and Assistant Naval Attaché there and, if, as we envisage, it would be necessary about that time to fly our Air Attaché and Naval Attaché planes away from Nanking, it might be possible to send others to Canton.
At this stage, however, we are inclined to believe developments will be such as to warrant our recommendation to Department that Ambassador and his principal advisors remain Nanking.
Realizing that definite decision cannot be taken until actual event, we would appreciate Department’s preliminary reaction this suggestion.
Sent Department, pouched Chungking, Kunming, Canton, Hong Kong, Taipei.