893.00/11–1749: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—1:56 p. m.]
Cantel 1287 Rinden and I interviewed Chu Chang-wei afternoon November 16. Chu began by saying military situation very, very bad and “unless miracle happens Chungking cannot hold more than 1 week”; he feared same thing as at Canton, simply a route march for Communists with no resistance, saying Tsunyi was lost November 15. Chu thought Communists would drive for Pichieho, hence equally easy attack toward Kunming, Chengtu or Chungking. Formerly he said had been planned resist on two fronts but after arrival here Generalissimo decided only Szechuan could be defended.
When in Kunming, President Li had decided make that city capital but fall of Kweiyang nullified that hope, Chu said, and added that in same manner as at Canton plans for shifting Pai’s forces into Kweichow in order hold Kweiyang for time and slow Communist advance to west came too late to mature. Pai now falling back on line based on Liuchow though appears Communist plan first go after Kunming then attack Pai.
Chu then said Generalissimo did not intend resume Presidency and admitted government would split on question going Formosa or remaining continent, say at Nanning. Who might follow Li to latter point Chu could not guess, the line not yet having been at all clearly drawn. President Li he hoped would return “in a day or so”; he had sent several urgent wires asking him come back.
[Page 601]Chu was obviously worried about transport out of Chungking. He said no CAT planes had arrived here in past 3 days and remarked “it is a long way to Nanning” and that his own plans were far from clear.
With attitude “it was nice while it lasted but it is all over now”, Chu expressed appreciation for our presence in Canton and at Chungking and suggested that we make own arrangements to leave. He promised at once to advise any decisions regarding government.
Sent Department Cantel 1287; repeated Taipei 222, Hong Kong 67, Kunming 44, Shanghai 572; Department pass Taipei, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai.