893.00/4–2949: Telegram

The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State

Cantel 299, George Yeh, acting FonMin, sent for me today. He is worried over reports appearing in American press indicating government abandoned Diplomatic Corps Nanking to its fate and in hurried withdrawal left large quantities ammunition, military equipment to fall into Communist hands. He asked me to report facts as follows:

Evacuation Nanking had been precipitated by defection April 19 Commanders [at] Kiangyin and Tikiang which placed Nanking in untenable position. Government had determined upon withdrawal, and an orderly withdrawal was in progress, when he (Yeh) arrived Nanking April 21 and he had immediately arranged CAF77 transportation for Diplomatic Corps and urgently requested withdrawal, speaking personally to American, French and Canadian Ambassadors. Further and more urgent suggestion Diplomatic Corps leave was made on 22d. Also Yeh had himself arranged, in cooperation Mayor Nanking, to leave 300 police specially designated to protect Diplomatic Corps area. Unfortunately rumors resulted in these police throwing away their arms and uniforms and submerging into community. He asked with simulated sincerity as to welfare Ambassador Stuart and was most regretful any indignities to which he had been subjected through lack of protection by municipal police.78

Yeh said government had determined to defend Shanghai, not in city, but in outlying districts and that defense would be fully supported by CAF.

Fu Ping-chang79 has still not accepted appointment FonMin and Yeh says no one is willing accept appointment these days until military have produced a victory.

Sent Department, repeated Nanking 235, Shanghai 187.

Clark
  1. Chinese Air Force.
  2. For further documentation on the Ambassador’s experiences after occupation of Nanking by the Chinese Communists, see pp. 723 ff.
  3. Foo Ping-sheung, Chinese Ambassador in the Soviet Union.