Office of the Historian

893.00/1–2149: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, January 21, 1949—5 p. m.
[Received January 22—3:54 a. m.]

183. In January 21 interview with Military and Naval Attachés and officer of Embassy, General Sun Lien-chun,32 director training Chinese ground forces,33 stated that American arms now reaching China are being scattered in haphazardly fashion among various units and are not being issued en bloc to units trained in their employment. General Sun also expressed doubt over capability Government armies prevent Yangtze crossing by Communists due shortage troops and adequate commanders.

Sent Department; pouched Taipei, Shanghai; Canton, Hong Kong.

Stuart
  1. Personal Chief of Staff to the President, 1948–49. General Sun Li-jen had been Deputy Commander in Chief of Chinese ground forces and Commander in Chief of Army Training Headquarters.↩
  2. On Formosa.↩