893.00/10–2449: Telegram
The Chargé in China ( Strong ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—7:43 a. m.]
Cantel 1222. In explanation sudden fall Canton, Chu Chang-wei stated President Li with concurrence Yu Han-mou23 and Hsueh Yueh,24 but with most reluctant consent of Gimo, appointed Pai Chung-hsi over-all commander central and south China areas. Ku Chu-tung25 failed issue necessary order for several days, thus Pai unable commence direction all troops. Pai intended have Soong Hsi-lien protect west Hunan flank with capture of Yuanling and move Hulien forces west to support east flank; Pai would then have been able use own forces defend Kukong which key to defense of Canton; Soong refused move, claiming inadequate forces, and as result when Communists began all-out offensive Pai obliged withdraw Seventh Army from Kukong toward Hengyang; failure Soong cover left flank and capture Kukong by Communists forced Pai retreat; Seventh Army plus one division disobeyed orders not to stand against Communists and were surrounded with loss of two divisions; and that Liu An-chi forces failed to fight at all and their present whereabouts unknown.
Major blames for Canton debacle placed on meddling by Gimo which made concerted defense plans impossible.
Chu then declared Pai would defend Kwangsi borders long as possible but that view fact Communists able approach Kweilin from at least four directions he unable concentrate his forces; thus last line of defense would be near Nanning, including Luichow Peninsula, and to Kweichow; on this line Pai would be able achieve desired concentration.
According to Chu, who spent several days Kweilin and saw Pai several times before coming Chungking October 21, Pai will, without question, oppose Communists to the end, there being no thought of compromise or surrender in his mind (telCan 730, October 1926). Pai is still in position to fight major battle and will do so on final line of defense.
Desperate shortage of time for US aid to save situation was pleaded by Chu, who gave impression some immediate catastrophe hanging over Chinese Govt. Embassy considers possible Pai may have set time limit which he able hold out against Communists if they launch major attack. As yet they have not reached Kwangsi border. We seriously doubt Paris considering turn-over to Communists.
[Page 563]It is noteworthy that no mention made by Chu of future guerrilla activities by Pai forces. Impression he left was that all would be over if Communists defeated Pai at final line of defense. Also of interest were statements that Pai would not withdraw into final bastion of Yunnan and that other generals under his direct command withdrew their forces with his into Kwangsi and remain loyal to him.