893.00/8–244: Airgram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—8 a.m.]
A–76. Reference Embassy’s telegram 1316, July 31 and despatch no. 2797, July 22, 1944.24 Source close to both Democratic League and Communists states secret meeting of representatives of parties and groups associated in Democratic League is scheduled to be held in Chungking about September 1. Representatives from Kweilin, Kunming, Chengtu, and Chungking are to be present. Purpose of meeting is said to be to determine upon platform acceptable to all [Page 497] dissident elements represented with view to forming a single Democratic Party. Platform is expected to cover demand for constitutional government, for guarantees of individual liberty, et cetera. Questions of tactics will also be considered, as well as a tentative slate for the formation of a new government.
Communists are reported to have been kept informed at all stages of planning for the conference and it has their tacit backing, but they will not take part, and the informant, who may be said to reflect their point of view, states that they favor the project because it represents an approach to a more democratic government, but they realize at the same time that the new party would be basically in opposition to themselves, since it would draw into its membership large elements who are now more pro-Communist (Chinese) than they are pro-Kuomintang, because they have so little sympathy with the Kuomintang.
- Latter not printed.↩