893.01/7–2749: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 28—11:35 a. m.]
Cantel 833. Communist threat Szechuan has led to review government plans move Chungking and cancellation is possibility. Most government organs (with notable exception Ministry National Defense) have sent families, files and some personnel Taiwan. Some ministries still talking sending few top personnel if capital goes [Page 462] Chungking but none seriously considering setting up establishment any size there.
Foreign Minister has sent files and three senior officers Taiwan and Vice Minister has been there [to] look for housing and office space, while single junior officer Chungking does not even have office. Minister of Education has cancelled plans send advance party Chungking and instead Minister is making trip Taiwan this week. Similarly Minister of Communications, Minister of Finance and banking institutions no longer thinking moving even part their establishments Szechuan. Central News now has only skeleton staff Canton, with 200 trained personnel, radios and files having gone Taipei last week. Sole exception Ministry National Defense has moved several thousand personnel and dependents Chungking and has had average 15 chartered planes going there daily past week [with?] service and BIS48 personnel who “not needed” Taiwan, with inference plain they are mouths which no one Taiwan wants take responsibility feeding.
Portion government unwilling go “Gimo’s island”, completely undecided where next stop will be. This evidenced by Yen Hsi-shan statement to President Legislative Yuan that he could give no indication where September meeting that group should take place until after August 15.
Sent Department, repeated Taipei 85. By pouch Chungking 72.
- Chinese Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (security).↩