793.00/12–150: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—12:47 p. m.]
1356. Wang Cheng-po’s wife, just arrived Hong Kong from Peiping, says she learned via same channel through which Wang’s previous reports derived (Congentels 945, October 311 and 1099 November 142) that Standing Committee of CCP Control Commission met prior November 19 with Soviet advisers and agreed on following strategy in Korea: Aim of Chinese intervention is to attract largest possible proportion of American troops and equipment to vicinity Manchurian frontier where they will gradually be chewed up in long war of attrition by lavish use Chinese manpower. In addition to present six million man army Chinese Communists will raise additional six million through current “volunteer” campaign and conscription. Soviet troops will not participate.
Mrs. Wang’s brother made trip to Mukden in November and learned from uncle who is Communist head of Northeast Government Department Civil Affairs that Communists are expecting bombing of Manchuria to begin any time. Except for skeleton staff still in Mukden, Northeast Government Departments and college have moved to Harbin and Changchun. Mukden converted into military headquarters and supply base for Korean war. Mrs. Wang’s brother estimated Chinese [Page 1291] Communist strength in field army units alone in Manchuria about one million.
Mrs. Wang reported violent anti-American propaganda campaign being pushed at top speed among students, government organs and general public in Peiping to expedite mobilization. She says up to one-third of student body of schools and staff members of government organizations have “volunteered” for service in Korea. Subordinate organs of revolutionary military council have been dispersed from Peiping to Kalgan, Hsiahuayuan, Nankow and Pataling. In discussion groups Communists placing great emphasis on China’s advantage in manpower and disadvantage US long supply lines.
Repeated info Taipei 163.