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

893.00B/3–949: Telegram

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

Nanking, March 9, 1949—noon.
[Received March 9—3:38 a. m.]

542. Acting President sent me following information from source he considers thoroughly reliable:

1. Zhukov,⁸⁶ with small staff Russian officers, has for some months been directing CCP military strategy.

2. CCP intends cross Yangtze at Wuhan rather than farther east. It regards Pai Chung-hsi as more dangerous than Generalissimo because his strategy less rigid and can be more easily directed in interest of American imperialism.

3. Politbureau has sent emissary to Manchuria to organize that area and North Korea into single bloc and make this base for further penetration of Japan.

I subsequently learned source was Li Ming-yang, who has just returned from mission to Communist General Chen Yi on behalf of Acting President.

Sent Department; repeated Canton 144, passed Moscow.

Stuart

86. Marshal G. K. Zhukov, Soviet Deputy Minister of Armed Forces and head of ground forces.