Mr. Collins. Last week the Chinese Communists made good the warning that they would not "stand idly by" if United States forces crossed into North Korea. The State Department informed our Embassy in Washington on November 3rd that about 16,000 Chinese Communist soldiers are now engaged in Korea. According to the most recent Intelligence reports received at that time, elements of several Chinese regular units had been identified, although Chinese units were not fighting in large separate formations. More recent information from the press, however, would seem to indicate that as many as three full Chinese divisions - over 30,000 men - had joined the fighting.

It was also reported that large supplies of arms and equipment have come from Chinese Manchuria to bolster North Korean resistance. As a result, remnants of the retreating North Korean army, joined by Chinese troops, were suddenly able to launch a fierce counter-attack. At the same time, enemy planes again entered the conflict, presumably from Chinese bases. In the face of this assault, United Nations troops were forced temporarily to withdraw, suffering many casualties.

In a communiqué issued today, General MacArthur confirmed that "elements of alien Communist forces" have moved across the Yalu River into North Korea. Without identifying the new force as Chinese, General MacArthur branded this move as "one of the most offensive acts of international lawlessness of historic record." He also pointed out that this "new and fresh army" was "backed up by a possibility of large alien reserves," and added "whether and to what extent these reserves will be moved forward to reinforce units now committed remains to be seen and is a matter of the gravest international significance."⁶⁰ A press report from Tokyo states that about 300,000 trained troops are immediately available in Manchuria as reserves. An additional 300,000 are also reported to be available either in Manchuria or North China.

The probable objectives of Peking's intervention, as reported from Washington, are:

(1) to keep United Nations forces from the Chinese border;

(2) to delay as long as possible the settlement of the Korean affair by the United Nations;

(3) to involve United Nations, and particularly United States, troops in a campaign of attrition by prolonging the war into the winter, which is severe in North Korea, and possibly longer;

(4) to attempt to protect the extensive hydro-electric plants on the Yalu River which furnish power to Manchuria.

The question of Chinese Communist intervention in Korea will undoubtedly be raised in the Security Council as soon as General MacArthur's official report is officially received. (SECRET)

⁶⁰ Voir/See United States, Department of State, Bulletin, Volume 23, No. 593, November 13, 1950, p. 763.