893.00/2–2848: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 1—9:04 a. m.]
106. Yingkow captured by Communists February 26. Speed with which capture executed indicates Government forces, consisting 1 division plus 2 regiments former PPC80 troops, poorly equipped and trained and low morale caused by Government failure furnish equipment [Page 122] and ammunition although having knowledge shortage since early summer, put up very little or no resistance. Communist radio reports, probably accurate, state Wang Chia-shan, C. O. Government’s 50th [58th] Division of Fifty-second Army, seized complete power Ying-kow and surrendered city together with 10,000 troops to Communists.
Government leaders including Mayor Yuan Hung-ta and Cheng Ming-hsin, Chief Staff who resisted surrender, were taken prisoner by Wang and troops desiring resist Communists were disarmed.
Sent Embassy, repeated Department 106, Tientsin 65, Peiping 75.
- Peace Preservation Corps.↩