893.00/1–1349: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:58 p. m.]
97. Reference Embtel 22 to Department, 13 to Shanghai, 2 to Taipei, January 4 and Embtel 77 to Department, 42 to Shanghai, 5 to Taipei, January 11.77
General evacuation of vital and valuable documents [of] various Government agencies now commencing. Various Ministries received instructions around January 10 to pack such documents at once for delivery to Ministry of Communications no later than January 13 for evacuation from Nanking. Government offices accordingly now mostly disrupted.
Ministry Industry and Commerce reportedly will soon evacuate 30 percent its personnel. Arrangements said underway permitting those so wishing to resign with 3 months’ bonus.
Apparently recalling valuable services of NRC during war, Government has seemingly made more detailed plans this agency. Large portions NRC being shifted south, certain units going Canton, other Taiwan. Personnel having 5 years or more seniority may designate any place in China having NRC subsidiary to which they may be evacuated although they being encouraged stay with main units either in Canton, Taiwan or Nanking. Older bulky files shipped out 2 weeks ago; now more current and highly useful files being shipped.
Clearly level of efficiency Government here will decline as result and will become increasingly difficult transact official business in interim.
Sent Department 97, repeated Shanghai 41, Taipei 7, Canton 1.
- Neither printed; they described the reported removal of equipment of the National Resources Commission (NRC) from Nanking to Taiwan (893.00/1–449, 1–1149).↩