893.00/14961
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the information of the Department a copy (in English translation7) of an editorial as published in the Ta Kung Pao (L’Impartial) of January 27, 1943, on the subject “Discard Old Antiquated and Outdated Concepts and Establish the New Sincere Unified Military Strategy”, discussing the present political orientation of China.
The writer of the editorial, basing his observations on recent comment made in The Nation (New York), states that it is to be considered that people who believe that the United States and Great Britain should refrain from giving all-out aid to China lest it become an aggressor nation or turn Fascist after the war are still obsessed by [Page 3] outdated concepts of the age of imperialism. China, it is stated, which has fought the longest and sacrificed the most in the present war, is entitled to demand a strategy which would support the carrying on of a decisive war and lead to a decisive victory. In that connection, the writer observes, it is necessary that there be neither underestimation nor overestimation of Japan.
There would seem to be little danger that China will become within the visible future an aggressive Fascist nation. However, without doubting the sincerity of the belief expressed in the Ta Kung Pao that China will become a republic along the democratic lines laid down in general terms in the Three People’s Principles (San Min Chu Yi) of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Kuomintang leadership at present shows little promise of putting those principles into effect. The Kuomintang, in fact, gives every evidence of intention to perpetuate its present one-party control of the country. Consequently, the prospect is that, unless liberalizing elements gain the ascendency in the government, either internal unity will be destroyed in the clash between the dominating Kuomintang and opposing forces or Fascist-like domination will continue to the detriment of aspirations for the development in China of a democratic political and economic system.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩