Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

893.00/4–2349: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, April 23, 1949—4 p. m.
[Received April 23—6:43 a. m.⁴⁶]

836. Acting President, Premier and few remaining officials Ministry National Defense fled Nanking this morning for Shanghai whence they will soon proceed Canton. Sino–3⁴⁷ last night admitted hopelessness stemming flow of Communist troops across river and said all armies deployed for Yangtze defense have been ordered withdraw south to Chientang river line. Sino–3 says Shanghai will not be defended except in possible rear guard action and all effort will be concentrated on withdrawing armies intact for further resistance on new line. Ridiculously easy Communist crossing of Yangtze made possible by defections at key points, disagreements in High Command and failure airforce give effective support.

Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 286, Shanghai 423.

Stuart

46. Text printed from corrected copy received April 23, 10 a. m.
47. Probably a spokesman for the Operations Staff of the Chinese High Command.