893.00/15093
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21.]
Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s telegram no. 1125, of July 8, 12 noon, in regard to Kuomintang-Communist differences, there is enclosed a translation of a manifesto11 issued by the Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on July 7, the sixth anniversary of the outbreak of Sino-Japanese hostilities, which has been received by the Embassy from Communist Party representatives at Chungking.
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While the Central Government permits no mention of negotiations between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party to be published, it is interesting to note that it is stated in the manifesto that the Communists are “ready to continue the negotiations with the National Party of China (Kuomintang) and other parties and groups on the solution of existing problems and the improvement of relations between parties and groups.” The need for national unity and the improvement of governmental administration are urged. The question is asked why a nation with a huge population such as China possesses can be invaded by the Japanese with thirty divisions of troops. It is admitted that the lack of industrial development is one reason, but the chief reason is ascribed to the lack of democratic government in China. Hope is expressed that the government will be able to effect necessary political reforms in accordance with the Three People’s Principles in order to improve the relations between classes, political parties and groups of people and in order to arouse the spirit of the people. The government’s present financial and economic policies are severely criticized and reforms therein are urged. Economic reforms, it is said, should include the practice of a democratic and centralized economic policy aimed at the development of production and the adjustment of the economic interests of different classes, and all groups should be mobilized for production.
Much of the manifesto is devoted to a description of the accomplishments of the Communist Party and army, and an appeal is made to them to strengthen their unity and continue their efforts to bring about the final defeat of Japan. In conclusion, an appeal is made that the members of the Communist Party unite with all anti-Japanese [Page 295] parties, groups and people to support the National Government and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the war against Japan.12
Respectfully yours,
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Augustus S. Chase of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs made these observations in a memorandum dated August 31:
“The following points not covered in the despatch are believed of some interest:
“In addition to criticizing ‘those who oppose giving priority to the defeat of Germany’, the manifesto reflects Soviet influence in emphasizing the need for a second front in Europe. However, it shows no lack of enthusiasm for the defeat of Japan.
“The following statements in the manifesto appear of some significance, especially if, as some observers claim, Soviet Russia continues to dictate the line of propaganda and action of Chinese Communists:
Hopes of Germany and Italy that ‘one of the allies might conclude a dishonorable peace’ are ridiculous.
Chinese Communists should ‘develop … anti-Japanese groups of the Korean people’.
‘Members of the Communist Party … should continue to study movements for purging non-Marxist ideology’.
“On the whole, the manifesto (as the summary in the covering despatch indicates) presents a much more honest picture of the state of China’s war effort than that which the Chungking Government seeks to portray.” [Omissions indicated in the original.]
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