893.00/5–3049: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 30—10:31 p. m.]
1148. I have discussed with my service attachés Chennault’s plan as outlined in Deptel 638, May 25, repeated Canton 239. Our feeling is [Page 525] that, while plan may have validity in some of its aspects, as a whole it is impractical and of doubtful value to furtherance of US national interests. The prospects of corridor leading from Yunnan to Ningshia remaining available for anti-Communist activity are already slight. Leaving aside southern Shensi and eastern Szechuan which are already seriously threatened by fall of Sian to Communists, the inclusion of Yunnan, which must hold a key position in any such plan, is, according to our information, entirely unrealistic. Lack of control by Nationalist authority in greater portion Yunnan, widespread Communist guerrilla activity therein and unreliability of present governor would seem make any plan built around Yunnan as southern outlet to corridor unsound. We do agree impossibility drawn out and effective resistance under Moslem leadership of provinces of Ningshia, Kansu, Tsinghai and parts of Suiyuan. However, developments in this area may also be affected by CCP unwillingness to tackle Moslem provinces militarily as well as by announced determination of Moslem leaders to resist.
It is conceivable that it would be to US national interests to support through economic assistance any line of resistance in north central China should clear evidence of will to defend Moslem provinces against CCP political and military encroachment develop within next several months. How economic aid could be delivered to such isolated area would be one of main problems implementation any such policy.
Consequently our conclusions are: (1) No military mission or military advisors or military aid supplies at this late stage of Chinese military developments. (2) Should effective resistance develop in potentially autonomous area of north central China, we could then consider desirability of supporting it economically on basis of its performance and promise. (3) Immediate useful step might be to dispatch small group technicians from ECA mission presently China to Lanchow and areas north to prepare plan for further economic assistance that area if and when required. If considered desirable, ECA mission to north central might include military observers available from service attaché personnel presently south China.
It is noted that Hsin Hua Jih Pao May 30 reports without comment Chennault’s appearance before Congress early May asking assistance to Kmt for purpose establishing resistance bases in southwest and northwest.
Sent Department 1148, repeated OffEmb Canton 475.