893.00/15199
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 10.]
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s despatch no. 1675 of October 14, 1943, in regard to Kuomintang-Communist relations, I have the honor to enclose a copy of an editorial from the Liberation Daily (Communist newspaper published at Yenan) of October 6, 1943, together with a digest of the editorial,91 commenting on the 11th Plenary Session of the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang and the 2nd Session of the Third People’s Political Council, both of which were held in September 1943. The English translation of this editorial was received from Communist representatives at Chungking.
Summary of Editorial: Realizing that the United Nations’ strategy prevents the realization of Kuomintang aims to have Soviet Russia weakened through a Japanese attack or through American and British transfer of their full strength to the Pacific, leaving Russia to fight alone, the Kuomintang has three possible courses of action: (1) to surrender to the Japanese; (2) to delay the fundamental solution of the Communist problem while preparing for civil war; and (3) to alter its political direction. The first course is advocated by defeatists who wish to surrender to Japan and initiate civil war; thinking the Kuomintang armies can easily defeat the Communists. The second course is that favored by those who camouflage their real intentions of destroying the Communists by emphasizing the C.E.C. and P.P.C. resolutions on constitutional government and the solution of the Communist problem by political means. The third course is favored by some Kuomintang members, by the Communist Party and by all the people, for it means a just solution of the Communist problem, the abolition of the fascist dictatorship and the establishment of a democratic form of government. Demands are presented to “Mr. Chiang” for continued resistance to Japanese aggression, the cessation of the civil war crisis and the anti-Communist movement, the withdrawal of the Chungking troops now blockading the Communist areas, the abolition of one party dictatorship and the secret service organs, the calling of the national congress prior to the end of the war and freedom of speech, assembly and organization. End of Summary.
This editorial is believed to represent the “official” views of the Chinese Communist Party and its tone is a continuation of the critical and unyielding attitude of most of the articles written by Communist Party members during recent months which have been received by the Embassy. One Chinese Communist stated recently that an agreement had been reached between the Communists and Dr. Wang Shih-chieh, acting for the Kuomintang, for a cessation of the bitter propaganda campaign which has been conducted by the two parties during the [Page 379] past few months (Embassy’s despatch no. 1651 of October 6, 1943). While there has not yet been any direct evidence of such an agreement, there has been a cessation of articles in the local Government-controlled press enumerating the “Communist crimes,” a large number of which appeared in September.92
The statement in regard to the Communist problem made by the newly appointed Minister of Information, Liang Han-tsao, at his first press conference (Embassy’s telegram no. 1995, October 21) was not published in the vernacular press although it was carried by the Central News Agency English Service. When questioned at a later press conference as to the reason for the failure of the Chinese press to publish the statement (all other statements made by the Minister at this press conference were published in the Chinese press), the Minister said that it was unnecessary to publish such a statement for Chinese consumption as informed Chinese are fully aware of the true situation in regard to the Communist problem. The Foreign Office spokesman at this conference added that it was necessary to let foreign countries know the real situation. Apparently the Kuomintang is endeavoring to play down the possibilities of civil war and the seriousness of the situation in order to reassure foreign observers, and a cessation of the propaganda campaign would be consistent with that policy.
Respectfully yours,