693.001/514
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16, 1939.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, as of possible interest to the Department, a copy in translation of a leading article27 appearing in the Hsin Hua Jih Pao on November 9, 1938, which endeavors to give an assessment of the Anglo-American position in China in the light of Prince Konoye’s announcement of November 3. Briefly, this journal considers that Prince Konoye’s announcement amounts to a negative reply to the American Government’s note of October 6; that it constitutes a threat to American and British interests in the Far East; that the present situation has come about partly as a result of the compromise policy of the present British Government, which is compared unfavorably with what is described as the more positive though hampered policy of the American Government; that the gradual expansion of Japanese activity in the Pacific area will bring Japan into inevitable conflict with the United States and Great Britain; and that, therefore, it is only necessary for China to continue its resistance until such time as succor, produced of Japan’s overweening ambition and pressure exerted by the people of the friendly Powers upon their government, arrives.
In this connection, the foregoing views are largely shared by the entire Chinese press of Chungking. Numerous articles have been published which stress the progressive encroachment of the Japanese upon American and European rights and interests in China; which speculate upon the nature of the reaction of the Powers concerned to these Japanese advances; and which urge upon the Powers vitally interested—principally the United States and Great Britain—the necessity of taking prompt and effective steps to safeguard their [Page 388] rights and interests in China, either by way of direct assistance to China or by the application of economic sanctions to Japan.
The Hsin Hua Jih Pao, as the Department is aware, is a daily newspaper of the Chinese Communist party, which commenced publication at Hankow in January 1938. Since the fall of Hankow, this newspaper has begun publication in Chungking.
It may be well briefly to discuss the policy of this newspaper. In internal affairs, its main consideration is the furthering of the “united front” which it holds to be essential for the final ousting of the Japanese from the Asiatic continent. In consequence, it gives the appearance of supporting the National Government, especially insofar as the prosecution of hostilities is concerned. It constantly praises the person and principles of Sun Yat Sen, professing to see in the latter the fundamentals for the regeneration of the Chinese nation along democratic lines. Through democracy, it hopes to achieve the Communist aim—a socialistic republic. At present, it warmly supports the leadership of General Chiang Kai-shek and is willing apparently to remain under his banner so long as he continues to resist Japan. While it harbors a strong suspicion against the Kuomintang, which it conceives to be following a policy of hampering the activities of the Communist party, “united front” considerations prevent it from adopting a critical attitude toward that political group. Its strongest attacks are directed toward so-called peace advocates, against whom the National Government is urged to take the most drastic measures. It continues to advocate suffrage, freedom of assembly, speech and press, and unrestricted political party activity.
In the sphere of foreign affairs, its basic policy is, of course, anti-Japanese and pro-Soviet Russian in the order named. Its thesis is that the Japanese invasion will overreach itself in western China and that prolonged resistance will in the end so exhaust the Japanese that the latter will be driven out of China and off the Asiatic continent. Prolonged resistance is expected to be maintained through the agency of the “united front” and the development of the mass movement and education among the population; negatively, it advocates steps to prevent the Japanese from utilizing the areas which the latter have occupied.
This organ maintains a policy of the utmost friendship toward the Soviet Union, hailing it as China’s greatest friend and benefactor in a period of darkest trials and tribulations. News of the Soviet Union, copiously furnished by Tass News Agency, is accorded a premier place in the news columns; while no opportunity is lost to comment favorably upon the aims and policies of the Soviet Union. Its policy toward Great Britain and France has been friendly, though somewhat cool since the Munich agreement, which is held to have constituted [Page 389] a vital democratic concession to the Berlin–Rome–Tokyo axis. Its attitude toward the United States is studiously cordial, though it has complained about the sale of arms to Japan and the failure of the United States to take a more positive policy in the Far East. It is violently critical of Germany and Italy, holding them to be allies of Japan against China and the Soviet Union. In short, this newspaper pleads for a coalition of the democracies, including China and the Soviet Union, to curb what it terms the “Fascist group.”
In the economic field, this organ calls for relief of the peasantry in the form of lower taxes, reduced rents, and reasonable rates of interest. In common with the Kuomintang, it calls for the development of the Northwest and the Southwest as economic bases for future resistance against Japan, and advocates improved communications. Though the Chinese Communist party undoubtedly wishes for the socialization of industry and the redistribution of land, the Communist newspaper has refrained from noticeable comment thereon.
It is believed that the views of the Hsin Hua Jih Pao, as described above, in general, represent the policy of the leaders of the Chinese Communist party today, a policy which appears to have as its basis the sinking of differences with the Kuomintang, at least temporarily, in order to establish a national unity that can avert Japanese domination of China and of the Chinese people.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩