893.00/11–548: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p. m.]
5746. For Acting Secretary: We were shown this morning telegram dated November 3 which Foreign Office had received from French Ambassador [in] Nanking1 describing meeting with certain members of Diplomatic Corps there (including American Ambassador2) to discuss what should be done in event Chiang Kai-shek3 government withdraws from Nanking.
French Ambassador indicated likelihood that Chiang would leave for south or southwest with such forces as might remain loyal to him and Ambassador did not preclude possibility that Chiang would retire to Formosa.
French Ambassador expressed view that he should remain in Nanking and take up contact there with such interim regime as might serve as temporary stop-gap before Communists took over. He indicated further that no decision reached among diplomatic representatives present beyond general belief they should remain in capital as long as Chiang did so.
Foreign Office is telegraphing Nanking its tentative view that French Ambassador and staff should follow Chiang and remain with his government if it retreats to south or southwest, with added suggestion that one diplomatic secretary might be left in Nanking. Foreign Office is undecided as to what should be done in event Chiang moved to Formosa. It feels that as long as Chiang’s government car-Ties on fight in continental China it is proper to stay with him, but that if he should go to Formosa they regard it as tantamount to “throwing in the sponge”. Foreign Office was particularly anxious to have Secretary Marshall’s views on problem and indicated they had not yet instructed Bonnet4 to take matter up with Department.
[Page 851]Above brought to Secretary Marshall’s attention who preferred that I handle matter directly with Foreign Office after referring it to Department for consideration and advice. Please instruct.