893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/9–2149: Telegram
The Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:39 p. m.]
500. Prolonged absence Generalissimo from Taiwan causes some speculation. Yesterday it seemed during conversation with Hollington Tong and K. C. Wu that they were slightly concerned, but Wu finally said that Generalissimo had settled pressing matters Szechwan and will be returning here within few days.
French Consul told me last night he heard from reliable source that Acting President Li and others, presumably Pai Chung-hsi, doing everything possible to make Generalissimo stay in Chungking or Chengtu, even going so far perhaps as instigating local trouble there to keep him occupied. This report possibly true. Generalissimo’s attitude towards Pai, as reported Cantel 1113, September 16 to Department, repeated Taipei as 168, very likely reason for such action on part of Li and Pai and followers.