Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume IX

893.00/1–1549: Telegram

The Consul at Tsingtao (Strong) to the Secretary of State

Tsingtao, January 15, 1949—7 p. m.
[Received January 15—11:55 a. m.]

81. January 15 Generalissimo⁵ through Barr⁶ recently sought information Navy plans [on] grounds determine whether reinforce troops here. Badger refused information, referred query Chief Naval Operations, stating useless reinforce Nationalist garrison; additional troops create only greater threat of disorder, looting.

Consul General considers withdrawal bulk Nationalist troops here preferable to reinforcement. Fewer Nationalist troops here, more orderly will be inevitable Communist take-over.

Sent Department, repeated Nanking 32.

Strong

5. President Chiang Kai-shek.
6. Maj. Gen. David G. Barr, Director, Joint United States Military Advisory Group in China (JUSMAG).