893.00/15339
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of despatch No. 82 of March 16, 1944, from the Secretary on detail at Sian2 in regard to conditions in the Sanyuan area north of Sian, based on observations made by Mr. Drumright during a trip to that area on March 14 and 15.
Summary. Sanyuan, lying in a valley about 45 kilometers north of Sian, is the center of a rich cotton and wheat-producing area which has had a revival since the construction of a railway to that point in 1940 and the opening of an irrigation project in 1934. Relations between the population and the Chinese military and civil authorities are extremely unsatisfactory due to the imposition of onerous grain and fuel taxes, miscellaneous exactions and the ever-increasing corruption and graft on the part of officials. The poverty of the farming population, which is today very real, arises chiefly from the inordinate demands of the officials and the poor and oppressed farmers have been pressed almost to the point of desperation, and uprisings may result. A continuation of the present practices of the officials is likely to result in the peasants’ welcoming the Communists, who went to great efforts to conciliate the populace when they were in this area in 1936 and 1937. The situation in Sanyuan is typical of conditions in many other areas of Shensi, Honan, Anhwei and other provinces. End of Summary.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩