690B.9321/12–753: Telegram
No. 132
The Ambassador in the Republic of China
(Rankin) to the Department of State1
priority
328. Foreign Minister informs me President Chiang was shown intercepted message addressed to jungle generals by Li Mi of which tenor was contrary to President’s instructions. As result latter on December 5 sent strongly worded telegram over his signature to General Liu Yuen-ling2 insisting all who could evacuate, warning [Page 182] them against attempting bring Burmese with them, et cetera. Reply received today from Liu encourages Foreign Minister to believe considerable addition number can be withdrawn. He therefore asks our urgent help as follows: (1) Tell Burmese that Chinese Government is continuing efforts to get out additional men and has hopes of succeeding; (2) seek extension of cease-fire for at least two weeks; (3) keep committee functioning; (4) ask Burmese do their utmost to prevent incidents.
- Repeated to Bangkok and Rangoon. Received at 10:39 a.m.↩
- On Dec. 10, the Embassy in Taipei transmitted a free translation of the telegram supplied by the Chinese Foreign Office. It stated that Li Mi’s health and the political situation made it impossible for him to return to Mong Hsat, that it was imperative that all commanders should be urged to abide by the government’s exhortations to evacuate their forces, that further struggle in the border regions would reduce them to an untenable position, and that after thorough consideration, Chiang felt there was no alternative to evacuation. It concluded by appealing to all officers and men to come to Taiwan and stated that if the appeal was heeded, “there will be a way to success in your dedicated cause, otherwise there is no hope of survival.” (Telegram 335; 690B.9321/12–1053)↩