793.94/16607: Telegram
The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—10:05 a.m.]
118. Peiping’s 97 [96], April 3, 1 p.m.86 From reports received from various reliable sources it seems apparent that during the past few months, due largely to dissension between the National Government and the Chinese “communists”, Chinese military and guerrilla activity has practically come to a standstill in North China between the Yellow River and the Great Wall. This has permitted the Japanese relief from fighting, privileged them to withdraw troops for use elsewhere, and made it possible for them to use Chinese mercenaries to guard railways, etc. (which would never be possible if any vigorous fighting were involved); in addition, this cannot but have had an unfortunate effect on the morale of the Chinese civilian population in the area. Previously the Japanese in this territory were harassed and their communications frequently cut but with the present lack of Chinese activity the Japanese are being made a gift of the area. As the Japanese forces, however, are fairly thinly scattered in North China, the Chinese are presented with a golden opportunity to harass the Japanese if they would only settle their internal differences and take determined and coordinated action.
Although the Embassy here is not in the best position to observe Chinese actions and trends of thought, it is difficult to escape the feeling that, during the last few months (in which period there has been considerable talk and some evidence that the United States intends seriously to assist China, and also increased speculation in regard to a possible Japanese-American clash in the south), the Chinese have decreased their own efforts in resisting Japan, possibly with the idea that the United States will now do the work. If true, this appears to be a dangerous state of affairs. It seems to the Embassy here that, if the United States intends vigorously to support or assist the Chinese in their resistance, we should call the attention of the Chinese Government to this matter and with suggestion that they should not be content merely to rest on their laurels. The Chinese have done remarkably well so far, considering their inferior equipment, but if the morale of [Page 502] the Chinese Army and people deteriorates from a belief that the United States will fight their war from now on, the results may well be unfortunate.
It should be added that there are persistent, but so far entirely unconfirmed rumors here, that the Japanese are negotiating or endeavoring to negotiate with the Chinese Communists; the consensus of informed local opinion on this subject is “possible but not probable”.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Chungking, Shanghai, code text by air mail to Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩