893.00/14456
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the information of the Department a copy of a Central News Agency release75 dated October 9, [Page 285] 1939, on the subject of a message to the Chinese people issued by General Chiang Kai Shek on the eve of the anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Republic.
While much of the statement comprises a repetition of themes long familiar to readers of General Chiang’s speeches and messages, it is of interest to note that in the message under reference General Chiang devotes particular attention to the question of resistance in the occupied areas and to the problem of dealing with Chinese disloyal to the National Government. The emphasis laid on the prospect of a long war tends to discredit rumors that General Chiang has any intention of compromising with the Japanese and likewise indicates that he sees no immediate prospect of driving the Japanese out of China. The latter implication may, of course, be a reflection of a policy referred to by Mr. T. V. Soong in a private conversation on October 2, 1939—namely, that the Chinese would attempt no general counter-offensive as long as the European war lasted (My despatch No. 341, October 4, 193976).
It will be noted that General Chiang predicts continued hardships and sacrifices, and makes no reference to the recent reported military successes of Chinese forces in Northern Hunan, even though these successes are regarded by some observers as the most significant since the beginning of hostilities. In this connection it may be observed that the Far Eastern Manager of the United Press, Mr. John Morris, who in the course of the last few months has travelled from the Nomonhan front in Manchuria to Chungking by way of Shanghai and Hong Kong, remarked to a member of my staff on October 9 that he thought the Japanese might be forced to abandon their campaign in China in less than a year. In spite of the evidence on which such a theory may be based, however, General Chiang indicates in the statement under reference that he takes a sober and realistic view of the problem and foresees a prolonged struggle.
Briefly, General Chiang, in the statement in question, declares that sacrifices greater than those made in the past will be required if the war is to be won; that the revolutionary background of the National Government is to its advantage in carrying on the present struggle; that guerilla warfare must be intensified; that civilians must cooperate in “exterminating” disloyal elements, and must undertake to sabotage all Japanese or Japanese-sponsored industries and other projects; that the people should neither “entertain a false sense of security nor wish for a quick end”. In conclusion, he urges the Chinese people to “re-cultivate the vigorous revolutionary spirit of 28 years ago”.
Respectfully yours,