893.00/9–249: Telegram
The Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 2—2:44 p. m.]
443. A member of Chinese Islamic National Federation called today as representative of General Ma Pu-fang with following message and request:
General Ma plans to keep his army intact and withdraw to Sikang Province where he hopes to re-equip and train his troops. In this connection he sent his representative to request US assistance. He wants American military advisers to train his army, and military supplies from US. The representative stated that General Ma wants this US assistance given directly to him and not through the Central Government. Recently Ma’s request to the Generalissimo for supplies was refused and he apparently feels any aid sent through the Central Government would not reach him. I explained to the General’s representative that the United States cannot negotiate or deal with individual army commanders and any aid would have to be granted to the Central Government and distributed through its organizations. He said he understood and so did General Ma but the General hopes that in the event of a total collapse of the Central Government the US will be willing to help him as an individual Army Commander resisting the Communists and give him advisers and supplies. I assured the General’s representative that I would transmit his message to Washington.
Some sort of reply to the effect that the US will consider General Ma’s request but making no definite commitments if the Central Government collapses would be a great boost to General Ma’s morale and determination to carry on the fight against Communism. The Department’s comments would be appreciated.