893.00/11–1649: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Kunming (Lutkins)
127. Urtels 233 Nov 15 (passed Chungking), 239 Nov 16. For ur info. On Aug 15 Chi Amb presented request milit ec aid proposing defense line China mainland.77 Substance JCS78 comment fols:
“Obviously impracticable for Natlist armed forces hold this line in face superior Commie forces, irrespective of provision US mil aid in amounts requested. Further, it wld be impossible, in view of compartments of terrain and concentration capabilities of Commies, for Nat armed forces prevent enemy from piercing stronger defensive lines further to West, although such mil operations wld not necessarily result in wresting from Nat control area of West China as a whole”.
Subsequent milit developments have borne out foregoing estimate and there is no ground for now assuming milit assistance forces [Page 605] Yunnan wld enable them maintain themselves against overwhelming strength Commies who wld almost inevitably be ultimate recipients materiel provided. Possibility development successful resistance movement Yunnan under present govt or successor considered too remote justify US involvement proposed in reftel. Urdes 38 Apr 8, 47 May 7, 57 Jul 14, 58 Jul 1779 indicated Yunnan neither militarily, politically suited development such movement, though Jul 17 des reported improvement polit situation. In any event US Govt obviously cld not issue statement guaranteeing Yunnanese independence which wld represent commitment this Govt not in position fulfill.
Suggest you not volunteer any reply proposal. If asked reply you shld state while this Govt sympathetic to desire all peoples avoid domination by alien-controlled regimes, US Govt cannot undertake guarantee which would represent far-reaching commitment involving direct intervention internal affairs China and use US troops fulfill such commitment.
- Vol. ix, p. 678.↩
- Joint Chiefs of Staff.↩
- None printed.↩