740.0011 P.W./7–1144
The Consul at Kweilin (Ringwalt) to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)32
Sir: I have the honor to report hereunder the substance of an interview given Mr. Theodore White, correspondent in China for Time and Life magazines, by Marshal Pai Chung-hsi, Assistant Chief of Staff. The Marshal, it will be recalled, is now in Kweilin, in compliance with orders from President Chiang Kai-shek, personally to direct the defence of Kwangsi. The undersigned was present throughout the conversation, which took place on July 7, 1944 at the Marshal’s residence.
Summary: The following is the substance of information and opinions expressed by Marshal Pai Chung-hsi in an interview given an American correspondent on July 7, 1944: The campaign in Hunan has resulted in an overwhelming defeat of the Japanese, whose retreat has been dictated by pressure on both flanks of their extended lines of communication. The Allied Air Force has also contributed to the Japanese disaster. The Japanese objectives were control of the Canton–Hankow Railway, and perhaps the Hunan–Kwangsi Railway, as well as the destruction of neighboring airfields. When new supply lines by land or sea to China are opened, primary consideration should be given to military supplies, all other considerations being secondary to the increased efficiency of the fighting forces. There is and should be no question of any compromise with the Communists whose armies should be required to submit to the authority and command of the Central Government. There is no reason for pessimism in this regard, as the Communists will doubtless be brought to see the error of their ways.
[Here follows detailed report.]
The relations between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party were discussed freely and at some length by Marshal Pai. Mr. White broached the subject by mentioning his understanding that the Communists had suggested that if the Chinese authorities would agree to [Page 124] the continuance of the Border Government and to the renewal of the subsidy of the Communist troops, (or at least the supplying of war material to the Communist armies), the Communists would be glad to join the Central Government forces in an aggressive war on the Japanese. Marshal Pai said that there could be no question of a compromise with the Communists, and that although the Central Government might raise no objection to the continuance of a separate administrative area in the north, all Communist armed forces must place themselves under the authority and command of the Central military authorities. He said that formerly an effort had been made to appease the Communists by granting them a subsidy but that the Communist forces had played false by expanding their military forces at the expense of Central Government troops from 30,000 to 300,000 rifles, and that the Central Government could not afford to take further chances. I suggested that as neither the Kuomintang nor the Communists seem to be prepared to compromise, and as their points of view are so divergent, there would seem to be little hope of their reaching an agreement. He replied that the situation was not as hopeless as it seemed, as he was sure that the Communists could be made to see the error of their ways.
Respectfully yours,
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Consul at Kweilin; received August 5.↩