Office of the Historian

893.00/4–2349: Telegram

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

Nanking, April 23, 1949.
[Received April 22—11:23 p. m.]

830. Practically all top government officials left Nanking yesterday. During night there was heavy firing across river and city government and police have now evacuated, bulk of troops have been withdrawn and mobs are looting mayor’s house and police station. Some Communists crossed river during night and either they or local Communists now control Hsiakwan and railway station. No fighting in city.

Sent Department 830, repeated AmEmb Canton 282, Shanghai 417.

Stuart