893.00/1–1246
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to
the Secretary of State
No. 1041
Chungking, January 12, 1946.
[Received January
30.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a
memorandum under date of January 12, 1946, regarding the National
Democratic Reconstruction Association, which was prepared by the Embassy
for submission to General Marshall. Attached to the memorandum are a
list of the representatives of the Association who are scheduled to call
on General Marshall and the Organic Principles of the organization.
Organization of the Association during December is believed to be typical
of the increased political efforts of various groups in China recently,
who see in the present situation an opportunity of making their voices
heard in the effort to break the monopoly of the Kuomintang. Some of the
organizations apparently have their own “axe to grind”, but this
Association is felt to be one of the most respectable and honest in its
aims.
Respectfully yours,
For the Chargé d’Affaires a. i.:
Robert L. Smyth
Counselor of Embassy
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Second Secretary of Embassy in
China (Sprouse)
[Chungking,] January 12, 1946.
Enclosed is a list of the members of the delegation of the National
Democratic Reconstruction Association who will call on General
Marshall on Monday, January 14, at 10:00 a.m., together with a brief
statement of their background. Also enclosed is a statement of the
“Organic Principles” of the Association.89
The local press announced on December 17, 1945, that the inaugural
meeting of the Association was held on December 16 and that this
meeting was attended by over 100 educators, cultural workers and
industrialists. According to a member of the Presidium of the
Association, membership in the organization is limited to non-party
and professional men. It is reported by the press that the
Association contemplates drawing up a plan of an industrial area
which will govern the relationship between capital and labor and the
management
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of factories
and that it wishes to establish a model for new industries in
China.
Of the members of the delegation which will call on General Marshall
one (Huang Yen-pei) is the leader of the Vocational Education
Association, one of the minority groups in the Democratic League,
and another (Sung Chi-meng) is the General Secretary of the
Vocational Education Association. It is believed that the Democratic
Reconstruction Association maintains close contact with the
Democratic League although a reliable, well-informed non-party
Chinese states that it is not connected with the League in any way.
A member of the Association (with a reputation for great honesty)
has informed me that the organization is intended for those “engaged
in protective businesses and interested in national affairs”. He
adds that beyond a desire to be vocal on matters affecting the
welfare of China as a modern democratic nation and to reflect public
opinion the Association has no other motive.
