What did the declassified documents reveal?

Cold Open. This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Conversation with General Wen, Secret, October eighteenth, nineteen fifty‑one.” The record captures a telephone discussion between a CIA officer and General Wen of the Chinese Nationalist faction, and it is notable because it reveals U.S. concerns about support to the Chang Pei‑Kuei group and internal rivalries among anti‑Communist forces in China. The document is hosted on The Black Vault. Provenance. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault archive. The digital transcription was uploaded as part of the agency’s ongoing FOIA‑based releases, with the declassification authority listed as the Central Intelligence Agency. The entry was made available on the archive’s website on the date of upload, and the full text can be accessed via the provided URL. The Document. Secret. S/P. October eighteenth, nineteen fifty‑one. Conversation with General Wen. The principal purpose of the call on Mr. Stuart, Special Agent, seemed to be to call attention to reports from Hong Kong that the United States is providing material assistance to the Chang Pei‑Kuei group and the effect this would have upon General Wen himself and the group which he represents. General Wen stated that he had received letters from Cheng Jevering, Chu Cuangeeherng and Kwen Su‑jen stating that General Chang had asked for U.S. support, expressing dissatisfaction that the Wen group had not been able to obtain similar support. The letters apparently contained an element of criticism of General Wen for his failure to obtain such support. General Wen carefully pointed out that he realized a U.S. decision with respect to the matter could not be forced and that he did not wish to appear in the position of attempting to do so. He thought, however, we should know that in the circumstances cited there, a rapid loss of confidence in Wen on the part of the group which claims to represent could cause the group itself to disintegrate. He also indicated that his continued stay in the United States was exhausting his financial resources. Therefore, he would like to obtain some indication of whether the matter would be submitted on proper channels and whether the United States has any interest in the proposal, and whether further information of evidence is desired in connection with the proposals which he has made. General Wen suggested that Chargé Feekwet had no following in Yurinan, and part of the correspondence stated that he himself could best rely on opposition strength in those provinces and referred to letters from guerrilla leaders and other “evidence” submitted earlier in substantiation of these claims. This conversation also underscores the delicacy of shifting General Wen’s position, an indication of communication to some other higher authority, reference to a CIA memo of August ninth, nineteen fifty‑two, and other related material. Context. The Black Vault’s editorial note accompanying the…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

CIA Conversation With General Wen, Secret, October Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty‑one.

◆ BLUF — The short version

Cold Open. S. concerns about support to the Chang Pei‑Kuei group and internal rivalries among anti‑Communist forces in China. The document is hosted on The Black Vault. Provenance. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault archive.

Date: OCT 17 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

Cold Open. This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Conversation with General Wen, Secret, October eighteenth, nineteen fifty‑one.” The record captures a telephone discussion between a CIA officer and General Wen of the Chinese Nationalist faction, and it is notable…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA Conversation With General Wen, Secret, October Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty‑one. about?: Cold Open. S. concerns about support to the Chang Pei‑Kuei group and internal rivalries among anti‑Communist forces in China. The document is hosted on The Black Vault. Provenance. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault archive.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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CIA Conversation With General Wen, Secret, October Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty‑one.

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