893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/11–1549: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 15—10:43 a. m.]
Cantel 1284. Sudden arrival afternoon November 14 of Generalissimo found President Li flying Nanning from Kweilin for 3-day visit despite phone call from Premier Yen urging him return to discuss all problems with Generalissimo. Li appears to be playing “hard to get” as has Generalissimo during past 2 weeks.
Li may be showing deep interest in Kwangsi at this time as a means of forcing greater concessions out of Generalissimo for continuing government somewhere in southwest or he may be deciding at this late date whether situation Kwangsi justifies breaking away and establishing in Kwangsi a government of members of own group plus few independents. Situation appears ripe for a split of government right down the middle.
By arriving during absence of Li and by summoning him to return, Generalissimo has made it clear he has not come at invitation of Li (final paragraph Cantel 1223, October 24). Although Generalissimo’s [Page 596] presence earlier would not have altered ultimate outcome, he has definitely come too late to achieve even a slowing down of the current crumbling process. Kweiyang is said to have fallen November 14 as did Pengshui in southeast Szechuan to inferior Communist forces. Hu Tsung-nan has moved headquarters from Haichung back to Chengtu and is withdrawing several armies into central Szechuan in face of rumblings Communist thunder in Kansu and Shensi.
We feel government must take decision within week on next move or on regrouping forces to “defend” sizeable area of Szechuan. We doubt Generalissimo can force decision in absence of Li, strength of whose position should increase if he remains full 3 days in Kwangsi.
Absence of Li at this time may also be connected with desire prevent Generalissimo from returning to Taiwan in time to see Senator Knowland66 who now understood plans visit there November 22 to 25 but not Chungking.
As thought probable earlier, Ministries now being required prune personnel for discharge as economy measure from 10,000 to 4,000. Presumably those dismissed who wish proceed place of safety must do so without aid of government.
Sent Department Cantel 1284, repeated Taipei 220, Hong Kong 65, Kunming 42. Department pass Taipei, Hong Kong, Kunming.
- Senator William F. Knowland, of California.↩