893.00/9–1149: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 13—12:46 a. m.]
Cantel 1085. Optimism regarding Nationalists’ future is markedly higher in Canton now. Ability to have surmounted Chanisna [sic] defections and recent apparent settlement of Lu Han “coup” at Kunming have encouraged Nationalists greatly. Another important factor is Wu Tieh-cheng’s35 report on his talk with MacArthur36 who, Wu says, assured him that Nationalists would receive US aid if they held Canton a few months longer. Director [American?] section Foreign Office expressed to member this Embassy much interest in Congressional proposals for US aid to China, and requested further information on details and likelihood enactment various proposals. Basis for Nationalists’ hopefulness about their cause is not any apparent reversal trend military defeats, but belief US aid is forthcoming within relatively short period if Nationalists can hold out that long.
Sent Department Cantel 1085, repeated Nanking 672, Shanghai 530, Taipei 158.