893.00/4–2149: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 21—8:34 a. m.]
Cantel 247. Chen Li-fu says decision last night Canton of CEC and that of Government Nanking to reject Communist terms were both unanimous. He is sanguine that bickering between various elements Kmt has terminated and that party will rally as unit for renewed resistance. He envisages complete removal Government [to] Canton, leaving CinC Armed Forces with headquarters Nanking. He is confident Air Forces and Navy will cooperate with Ground Forces and that Yangtze crossing on any important scale can be delayed months if not prevented. So far as he is aware, Generalissimo continues willingness send complete support Li Tsung-jen with no present intention resuming authority himself.
With closing ranks Kmt, Chen is sanguine effective resistance Communist advance, yet desperately wants assurances further US aid. After reviewing unhappy results our past efforts help China and our failure largely because China refused help itself, I cautioned him not to count upon further US aid unless and until Government had first demonstrated its ability with broadened basis rally support in territory it still controls for further and effective resistance on scale giving promise of ability eventually retake offensive. I mentioned our axiom “God helps him who helps himself”, of which there is Chinese equivalent, and said American people could not be expected invest any more money in Kmt regime until it gave promise of offering effective alternative to Communism. Chen tried unsuccessfully to pin me down as to what would be considered effective resistance, but obviously his back was to the wall and he, like others in his position, is determined upon desperate measures to avoid the almost inevitable Communist domination of all China. Now that those who thought peace possible have been disillusioned he is sanguine Kmt with united ranks will be able rally sufficient support to prolong struggle until US can be persuaded once again intervene. Should that time come he hopes we will lay our cards frankly on the table and demand a definite quid pro quo for anything we give. That is the only way, he said, we could assure accomplishment ends we desire.
Sent Department Cantel 247, repeated Nanking 209, Shanghai 159.