Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

893.00/2–1449: Telegram

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

Nanking, February 14, 1949—noon.
[Received February 14—6:18 a. m.]

385. As Department of course aware, CCP announcements repeatedly claim Nationalist peace offensive simply maneuver to gain breathing spell rebuild Nationalist forces for further resistance. Actually, Communists are themselves now giving Nationalists breathing spell by their failure to press attack. However, our military attachés believe this respite, which has already lasted several weeks and may last additional 1 to 3 months, will not be of much benefit to Nationalists since crucial problem of re-equipping new armies remains unsolved.

Sent Department, repeated Shanghai 177, AmEmbassy Canton 58.

Stuart