123 [Hurley, Patrick J.]

Memorandum by the Deputy Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Stanton)19

This memorandum has been prepared in the belief that you will want to know of certain developments in regard to Ambassador Hurley’s handling of policy matters affecting our relations with China [Page 349] and his attitude toward Foreign Service officers in China which are causing us deep concern.

(1)
Handling of Policy Matters Affecting Relations with China. We have for some time noted with concern that General Hurley’s approach to the very complicated political problems in China is characterized by an intransigent and inflexible attitude. It had been our hope that upon General Hurley’s return to Washington it would be possible to talk freely and frankly with him on policy matters and to impress upon him the very great importance attached by officers of the Department to a completely flexible and realistic approach to these problems. However, the few conversations had with General Hurley were unsatisfactory and fruitless. Experienced Foreign Service officers and responsible officers of other Government agencies who have recently returned from Chungking share our concern in regard to the enunciation by General Hurley of a policy, which has been described by intelligent observers of the political situation in China, as “blank check” support of the Generalissimo and his one-party (Kuomintang) government. In our opinion General Hurley’s “policy” is increasing Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s intransigence in dealing with the problem of internal unification, is unwisely restricting our military aid to China exclusively to the Generalissimo’s forces, thereby preventing us from making use of other Chinese forces which might be effectively used against the Japanese. His policy, we believe, is vitiating the influence and leverage we possess to induce the Generalissimo to bring about the military, economic and governmental reforms essential to the establishment of internal unity and stability. In brief, Ambassador Hurley is conducting this Government’s relations with China along lines which we do not approve and which we fear will lead China toward internal chaos and serious external complications.
(2)
Attitude Toward Foreign Service Officers in China. During General Hurley’s visit here, it was very evident from his remarks that he is extremely suspicious of and entertains a dislike for Foreign Service officers in China. This antipathy has been confirmed by officers returning from Chungking, who have indicated the serious effect it has had upon their own morale and the morale of the other Foreign Service officers stationed at Chungking and at other posts in China. In consequence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to persuade Foreign Service officers who have served under General Hurley to return to China. Of an equally serious nature are the severe restrictions imposed by General Hurley upon political reporting by officers in China. We have definite reason to believe that General Hurley has ordered that only political reports favorable to the Chinese National Government may be made to the Department. This means that the [Page 350] Department will receive restricted and incomplete information concerning developments in China and it is apparent that we can no longer count on receiving factual and objective reports in regard to all aspects of the situation which the Department must have if it is to conduct its foreign relations in an intelligent and successful manner. It is hardly necessary to add that these restrictions have done much to undermine morale and have engendered a feeling among the Foreign Service officers with experience of Chinese affairs that our relations with China are being seriously mishandled.
E[dwin] F. S[tanton]
  1. Addressed to the Under Secretary of State (Grew) and the Assistant Secretary of State (Holmes).