661.93/9–1250: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Wilkinson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 12—1:44 p. m.]
556. Chinese American source believed reliable with whom Consulate General has been in contact for some time obtained following information from Chang Yen-ching, former Minister Foreign Affairs in Manchukuo Government (Chang gave as reference Ambassador Stuart and Colonel Barrett1 who may be useful in evaluating information). Chang [Page 725] asserts old-time friend now high Communist official Szeehuan few weeks ago returned to post from Peking via Hong Kong and told him following conclusions reached in high-level conference Peking.
- (1)
- China cannot be neutral either with respect to Korea or third world war because of Mutual Aid Pact with USSR.
- (2)
- China will provide 250,000 troops to aid North Korea. They will go into battle in North Korean uniforms. Li Li-san’s trip to Korea2 was for purpose signing agreement for this step.
- (3)
- If world war breaks out, Communists will win initial battles but will eventually lose because of material superiority of West.
- (4)
- In event world war, Chinese Communists will abandon coast line, which they consider indefensible against Western naval and air strength and withdraw to Northwest.
Consulate General arranging interview with Chang in order better evaluate above information and if possible learn identity original source.
Sent Department 556; repeated info Taipei 54.
- J. Leighton Stuart and Col. David D. Barrett, Ambassador and Assistant Military Attaché, respectively, American Embassy in the Republic of China at Nanking (closed).↩
- Li Li-san, Minister of Labor in the People’s Republic of China, was a member of a delegation headed by Kuo Mo-jo, Vice Premier, State Administration Council, People’s Republic of China, which visited North Korea beginning August 11, 1950 to help observe the fifth anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese rule.↩