893.00/4–1649: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16—9:44 a. m.]
777. At request of Ma Hung-kwei12 I met and talked to him yesterday in house of mutual friend (see my 758 to Dept April 13,13 repeated Canton 247). He is here to discuss with Acting President and others his plan for northern federation, either within framework of Nationalist China or independently to continue resistance to Communists. His plan would include provinces of Suiyuan, Ningsia, Kansu, as much of Sinkiang as possible and parts of Shensi and Shansi. He says that for geographical reasons it will be difficult for Communists to infiltrate with any degree of effectiveness in this area.
He asked about possibilities of American advisors for region. He said that during time army advisory group was here he had asked Generalissimo many times for their assistance in advisory capacity without success. He also mentioned US experts in irrigation, agriculture, engineering as desirable, necessary for his future plans for [Page 244] relatively autonomous North Central China. He expressed desire to visit US ostensibly for medical treatment, where he would seek support for his plan from rich overseas Chinese and would, of course, like to talk to interested officials in Washington.
It has occurred to me that ECA might as preliminary response to this appeal take more active interest in that area sending more of its people into northern provinces to make surveys and report on possibilities future US assistance.
Sent Department 777, repeated OffEmb Canton 260.