893.00/14433
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5.]
Subject: Conditions in Northwestern Provinces of China.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, as of possible interest to the Department, a copy of a memorandum82 dealing with various recent developments in the Northwestern provinces of China.
With reference to the question of recent developments in Kuomintang–communist relations*, one subject mentioned in the enclosed memorandum, it may be well to record that there have also been a few related developments in the Chungking area: (1) the Life Book Company, publishers of literature of a “leftist” nature, has been closed [Page 210] by the authorities; (2) a considerable quantity of communistic and radical literature has recently been confiscated by the authorities; (3) several communists and ultra-liberals are reported recently to have been detained by the authorities; (4) the activities of the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives are under close surveillance as it is feared that these organizations may be subject to communist influence; (5) Chen Li-fu, a prominent Kuomintang leader and present Minister of Education, is reported to be working assiduously through the Kuomintang and the Ministry of Education to popularize the Kuomintang with the youth of China, and the activities and organization of the San Min Chu I Youth Corps are being greatly expanded in an endeavor to attract the youth of China from similar communist organizations.
Although various restrictions against communist political activities have undoubtedly been increased in recent months, the Embassy does not feel that these activities foreshadow a severance of the close relations that have existed between the Kuomintang Government and the communists in respect of the conduct of hostilities against Japan, though they do indicate that concrete difficulties may be expected to develop if and when the common enemy of both—Japan—disappears from the scene.
Respectfully yours,