893.00/8–944: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 14—2:25 p.m.]
1373. In course of conversation subject of our 1372, August 9.47 Atcheson inquired whether anything had been done to bring together the dissident elements other than Communists with view to resolving internal political difficulties, meeting adverse military situation (Hengyang had just been reported lost) and getting on with the war. Atcheson referred to my suggestion he had put forward to Sun Fo on July 3 that Generalissimo call upon all factions to take joint responsibility and form with Generalissimo a military council or high command (our 1158 [1159], July 4). Sun’s reply was negative in implication and Atcheson went on to say that, in his opinion, Chinese Government now has greatest opportunity of hundred years of close contact with West to lead China to her rightful place as one of the great democratic nations of the world by bringing all elements together to form solidly united front against enemy and to lay firm foundation for China’s future role in peace. He said United States not only wanted strong and united China—this had always been cardinal principle of American policy—but, as Dr. Sun was aware, United States Government had been striving vigorously in China’s behalf to build up China as one of the Big Four so that as such China could, in actuality, be a great nation and exert effective influence in Far East for peace, postwar stability and political and economic collaboration with United States and other nations for benefit of all countries which were looking to new era of economic and political security based on [Page 140] liberal principles of cooperation and mutual goodwill. Atcheson said United States could not do this alone; it was not merely question of giving military aid to China and supporting China diplomatically in world councils and affairs, but China must actively help herself. He pointed out that China was not doing so and was seemingly allowing the prospects for a great national and international future to be jeopardized by the deterioration which was not only progressing in the military field, but in the internal and, in some respects, in the international political scenes. Dr. Sun expressed strong concurrence, but added with a shrug, “The civil and military power in the Government is centered in one man.”