893.00/8–3049: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Chungking (McGeary) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30—1:02 a. m.]
179. L. K. Taylor, American, President [of] Chennault’s10 International Supplies Corp., China, passed through Chungking today from Sining; he states Sining expected fall to Communists within 2 days and Chungking will be behind Iron Curtain in not more than 5 to 6 weeks; Hu Tsung-nan double-crossed Ma Pu-fang in Lanchow battle; both generals were to attack in defence Lanchow August 18; Ma did and put up big battle; inflicted large number casualties on Communists, lost some himself; Ma spokesman told Taylor for every 2100 Communists killed he cannot afford lose even 700; Hu did not attack and Taylor states Hu cannot be depended upon defend Szechuan for he and his men unable and unwilling fight; he states heaviest fighting equipment Nationalists had were light machine guns and at same time were short of ammunition; Communists had heavy mortars (Japanese) [garble] ammunition into Sining.
Sent Department; repeated Nanking 163, OffEmb Canton 135.
- Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault (ret.), Chairman of the Board of China Civil Air Transport (CAT).↩