Office of the Historian

393.1115/10–2448: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State1

Nanking, October 24, 1948—7 p.m.
[Received October 24—11:21 a.m.]

1985. Having informed Chinese Government of proposed public warning Tuesday October 26 to Americans Peiping–Tientsin area, I have received following urgent message from Generalissimo2 who is in Peiping actually directing counteroffensive Chinchow area.

“Personal to Ambassador Stuart from President Chiang Kai-shek. Having heard that you are going to withdraw your nationals from Peiping–Tientsin area and formally announce this in newspapers and realizing that this will not only have serious consequences on military situation but will also affect Chinese–American relationships, I earnestly hope that you may find it possible to delay such action. Furthermore, I can guarantee that the Peiping–Tientsin area is in no immediate danger. While I am staying here and the military operations are making progress, evacuation of Americans will do much harm to our cause. From now on my Government will pay special attention to their safety. If, in the future, it should seem necessary for them withdraw I will give you due warning. Even if it should be necessary for them to withdraw, do not for the time being announce this publicly.”

In view of this plea, I have instructed Consuls General [at] Peiping and Tientsin to defer issuance public warning until further advised. We do not believe few days’ delay is vital. Nonetheless Consuls have been instructed to answer inquiries orally by warning envisaged.

Following advice our military experts, we are taking advantage of Generalissimo’s plea to urge upon him that all troops now Mukden be immediately instructed fight their way inside Wall to North China. If this can be done, our experts believe there remains some slight possibility save North China. If this action is not taken immediately and improvement of situation is not evident, we can inform Generalissimo, [that] we can delay issuance warning no longer.

Department’s approval this action requested.

Sent Department, repeated Peiping 194, Tientsin 177, Shanghai 979.

Stuart
  1. Repeated in telegram No. Telmar 98 for the Secretary of State, who was attending the third regular session of the General Assembly of the United Nations meeting in Paris.↩
  2. Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China.↩