740.0011 Pacific War/2777: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:17 p.m.]
982. Southern Chekiang is now free of Japanese troops and Chinese are reoccupying positions as Japanese withdraw to north. Chinese reoccupation of Chuhsien is anticipated momentarily and Japanese abandonment of Kinhua and Lanki is not unlikely. It would appear that the Japanese plan to withdraw to the position they held in the Hangchow area prior to the initiation of the present campaign in May. Chinese report that about 60,000 Japanese troops participating in the Chekiang campaign have been transferred back to North China stations. It is understood that only one Japanese division is engaged now in Chekiang.
Along Chekiang-Kiangsi railway Japanese are withdrawing eastward and westward destroying towns in their wake. To east, Kiang-shan, Chekiang, has been retaken and to the west, Tunghsien, Kiangsi. Linchuan, Kiangsi, also retaken. Indication is that Japanese plan to withdraw to Nanchang area.
Press reports minor fighting in southwest Shansi.
American air force with headquarters now at Kunming bombed Lashio August 26.
Chinese reaction (unpublished because of press censorship) to appointment of Bissell10 as Commanding Officer of American Air Force in China, Burma and India has been unfavorable. Basing their opinion on what they understood Bissell’s attitude to be while in Chungking, Chinese officials regard appointment as clear indication that China will not receive substantial Air Force assistance.
Generalissimo is still in Lanchow. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Sheng Shih-tsai, Chairman of the Sinkiang Government, is to be replaced by General Ho Yao-tsu, at present Aide-de-camp to the Generalissimo, that National Government troops from Hu Tsung-nan’s command are already moving into Sinkiang; and that Sheng is to receive some nominal position, such as pacification commissioner for certain northwest provinces or may be summarily cashiered.
Embassy has received clear indication from Chinese officials that replacement of Hu Shih by Wei Tao-ming as Ambassador is contemplated, but there is believed to be undercurrent of opposition to the appointment of Wei as unsuitable for the position.
- Brig. Gen. Clayton L. Bissell, General Stilwell’s air officer.↩