Office of the Historian

893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/3–1249: Telegram

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

Nanking, March 12, 1949—1 p. m.
[Received March 12—4:08 a. m.]

558. Chang Chih-chung and Wu Chung-hsin1 returned from Fenghua yesterday. Had four conversations with Generalissimo. After usual polite preliminaries, Chang broached subject [of] Generalissimo’s exit China suggesting trip abroad as beneficial. Reaction violent and suspicious. Said if he wanted go abroad would make decision on own initiative and not by dictation from others. Asked if Chang had been sent Fenghua by Li Tsung-jen or Pai Chung-hsi. Subject discussed subsequent conversations but Generalissimo did not mellow, change his position. Last word was [he] intended stay Fenghua.

Sent Dept., repeated Shanghai 260, AmEmb Canton 157.

Stuart
  1. The latter was formerly Secretary General of the President’s office.↩