893.00/9–1046: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 11—3:35 p.m.]
1447. Following message from Tientsin repeated for Dept’s information:
“Large scale operation against Communist forces in northeast Hopei is taking place according to Marine Headquarters in which probably 80,000 Nationalist troops belonging four armies and reinforced Sixty-Second Division are being used. Apparently elements these forces are either on perimeter of area or converging toward center. One spearhead is moving eastward along Peiping–Chinwangtao highway and several others moving northward from Tangku–Shanhaikwan railway toward Fengjun and Yutien (probably now occupied) and farther east have occupied Lulung and Funing as in cases of forces which penetrated area south of railway. These armies will probably meet little opposition from Communists. (Reference my 11, September 351)
“Although military operation apparently proceeding according to plan, what it will accomplish is another matter. Possibly because of dispersal and disorganization Communist forces that area, important rail communications will be established temporarily but their continued maintenance in area which cannot be adequately garrisoned or policed by available Nationalist forces may be expected again to become physically impossible. Unless operation provides convincing evidence to reactionaries of futility attempting settle China’s internal problems by force of arms, expenditure of money and effort will be wasted.
“Traffic on Tientsin–Shanhaikwan line continues greatly reduced owing derailments nights September 1–2, 2–3, and 6–7.”
Sent to Embassy [as] 129.
- Not found in Department files.↩