893.00/6–849: Telegram
The Consul at Taipei (Edgar) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 8—2:36 a. m.]
210. K. C. Wu again looking well called on me on return from tour of Formosa. Highly encouraged by findings, believes Formosa can hold out with minimum troops since coastline is so easily defended. His impressions are that Formosans are loyal Chinese although anti-Nationalist Government, that they fear undisciplined soldiers and are uncertain of holding their jobs. He is recommending to Governor Chen concerted effort to win over Formosans which he thinks is possible.
[Page 346]He expects near panic here when Foochow falls and again when Canton is lost but that thereafter a general determination to fight and work together will override current factional differences and surmount local problems. He talked with Generalissimo at Takao.
He has replied to Tu Yueh-sheng’s68 inquiry that Tu should not accept Communist invitation to return to Shanghai because present apparent leniency will stiffen after Canton’s fall and Tu would be trapped.
Sent Department 210, repeated OffEmb Canton 65, Shanghai 166.
- Banker and industrialist of Shanghai.↩