893.00/14207b
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn)
Sir: With reference to the Department’s telegram of February 9, 1938,18 requesting that you subscribe to the Hsin Hu Shih Pao, official [Page 79] communist daily newspaper, beginning with its first issue on January 11, 1938, it is desired that you follow carefully editorials and leading articles in this publication which may be helpful to you in your evaluations of the political situation in China. It is realized that your office is confronted at the present time with an unusual amount of work incidental to disturbed conditions in your district and that this circumstance may for the time being make it impossible for you to examine closely the material in question. It is hoped, however, that you will later be able to give careful attention to the contents of this communist daily.
The Department is especially interested in obtaining information with regard to important developments in the communist movement in China, such as, for example, the inspiration, aims, and policies of the Communist Party of China; the present influence of the communist movement upon Chinese political or social conditions, and the reaction of high government officials to the movement. It is believed that the material in the Hsin Hu Shih Pao, supplemented by that obtainable through other channels, will prove of value in the preparation of political reports pertaining to this subject and that it also will prove of assistance to the Embassy in estimating the influence of the Communist Party of China in national developments.
China has long been regarded by the Communist International as the leading example of a colonial country exploited by “imperialist” countries. The solution formerly advanced by the Communist International for the correction of this alleged situation was the overthrow of the Central Government in China by force and violence, the setting up of a soviet form of government, the abolition of extraterritorial privileges enjoyed by foreigners, and a close alliance between a contemplated new Chinese Government and the Soviet Union.
At the Seventh World Congress of the Communist International in the summer of 1935 Communists made substantial modification of their program of world revolution. With regard to China it appears that preparations were made for the abandonment of several points in the program of the Communist Party of China to which prominent non-communist Chinese had taken exception. The more important of these points which subsequently were abandoned were the advocacy of violence for the overthrow of the Kuomintang, and agitation for the forcible confiscation of property to be followed by the introduction of a soviet form of government. These modifications were made for the purpose of bringing about a united front in China in opposition to Japan. The Communists hope that because of these modifications they will be accepted by the Kuomintang as participants in the present Chinese Government. Communists frankly admit that a united front government will not provide a solution for the internal [Page 80] difficulties of China. They look upon it as merely a step in the direction of their ultimate goal: a Soviet Government of China.
As of possible assistance in your study of this subject there is enclosed the December 15, 1937, issue of International Press Correspondence,19 an official organ of the Communist International. This issue is a special edition devoted entirely to matters pertaining to China. In it are presented the views of leading Communists of many countries with regard to present political conditions in China and their implications.
Very truly yours,