893.00/3–1149: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received March [11 ?]—3:19 a. m.]
Cantel 128. In Cantel 71, February 23, I suggested possibility Li Tsung-jen might develop leadership necessary continue effective resistance [to] Communists. In Cantel 93, March 2, I warned against possibility Communists might agree reasonable peace and dominate Government thru eastern European pattern.
There is still third possibility which seems to me we should not overlook. Canton is far removed from theater of action, yet I get distinct impression that Communists are dallying with Li while making preparations cross Yangtze. We should not rule out possibility that Li may permit himself, much as Fu Tso-yi did in Peiping, to be manoeuvred into a position where he would wake up one morning and find he had no recourse but to surrender himself and his government. With completion [of] preparations [to] cross Yangtze which Communists continue, it seems entirely possible that with little, if any, advance warning they could isolate Nanking in such manner as to make departure of any considerable part of Government hazardous, if not impossible. Communists certainly have or can readily develop this capability. Whether they will exercise it may be arguable but should Government show unacceptable degree of independence in course forthcoming negotiations it would undoubtedly face this threat.
There seems the third possibility, therefore, that Li and his government may become at some stage unwillingly isolated [at] Nanking and at mercy [of] Communists. In such event we may expect Gimo re-emerge if he has not done so before and resume functions as President. Article of Constitution under which he vacated office seems to permit such action and he would have strong claim to legitimacy. In any event, I think we should be prepared for possibility such developments.
Sent Department, repeated Nanking 110, Shanghai 76.