Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VII

893.00/11–148: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, November 1, 1948—5 p. m.
[Received November 1—7:35 a. m.]

2281. According press 30th, Shanghai being placed on wartime basis. Ministry National Defense has ordered total warfare status for Shanghai and has instructed Woosung–Shanghai garrison to expand activities to cover political and economic matters. Garrison Commander Hsuan²³ raised to Commander in Chief, in which capacity he outranks Mayor. Local observers feel move will not immediately affect city administration, and that with Chiang Ching-kuo’s²⁴ hold on political and economic life Shanghai broken through discontinuance price controls, Mayor Wu after 70-day eclipse will regain No. 1 position.

Sent Department 2281; repeated Nanking 1728.

Cabot

23. Gen. Hsuan Tieh-wu.
24. Deputy Economic Control Supervisor for Shanghai and elder son of President Chiang Kai-shek.