893.00 Yunnan/1–2049
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Hopper) to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)20
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum prepared by Vice Consul R. M. Service,19 describing an interview on January 19, 1949 with General Lung Yun, former governor of Yunnan. It will be recalled that General Lung arrived at Hong Kong on December 10, 1948 (reference this office’s telegram no. 212, December 11, 3 p. m. to the Embassy, repeated to Canton), after escaping from Nanking by air.
Summary of Enclosure. Lung Yun said that he was convinced that the Generalissimo will not quit, although he has lost the respect and support of the people. Lung was encouraged by Washington’s coolness toward the Nanking Government, and hoped that the United States will adhere to a “hand’s off” policy until the present historical crisis is over, when China will welcome American friendship. He was interested in the American attitude toward Formosa, advocating self-rule on the island, and American cooperation to keep Chiang from making of it a final bastion of Kmt survival. He described Li Chi-shen’s activity in north China as of the utmost significance to China’s welfare, and predicted imminent convocation of the PCC. Lung said it was too late for south and west China leaders to form an alliance against Communism, as the Generalissimo had sacrificed too many troops and brought the CCP armies to the north bank of the Yangtze, and the Chinese people are war-weary. He said that Fu Tso-yi and Yen Hsi-shan21 are entitled to make separate peace arrangements with the CCP, as Chiang did not give them promised support. Lung Yun said that he had come to Hong Kong for physical and spiritual relaxation, and that he had not yet formulated plans for the future. He avoided discussion of Yunnan and KmtRC22 affairs. End of Summary of Enclosure.
[Page 65]A source of uncertain reliability, describing a recent interview with Lung’s secretary, said that differences between Lung and Lu Han, present governor of Yunnan, have not yet been resolved. This source said that Lung’s half-brother will be obliged to come to a settlement with Lung, but that representatives of the two have not yet concluded their negotiations. Other sources have also said that delicate problems remain to be settled between the two Lo-los, but all are confident that Lung Yun will return to Yunnan when Central Government disintegration permits.
Respectfully yours,