893.50/8–1846: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Durbrow) to the Secretary of State

3232. First explicit attack on Chiang Kai-shek to appear in Soviet publication was review by A. Perevertailo in August 1 New Times of Generalissimo’s book Chinese Economic Theory.

[Page 56]

Reviewer states book sets forth “plan for creation of militarist state on quasi-feudal social-economic foundations, relying on big state monopolies and contemporary manufacturing industry.” He compares idea of grafting modern technics onto traditional Chinese culture to pattern of Japanese historical development. Leading Kmt circles, states reviewer, wish to industralize China with foreign capital rather than by means of expanding internal market and capital through land reform. This envisages for China “fate of a foreign, chiefly American, quasi-colony.” View advanced in book that state’s chief function is to regulate and limit popular demands is termed “ready-made philosophy of totalitarianism in special Chinese edition.” Review concludes that book’s author “comes out as ideologue of reactionary forces of China who are striving to preserve quasi-feudal foundations there and to convert it with American support into stronghold of reaction in Far East.” Comment: This attack suggests that Soviet Govt coming, or already has come, to conclusion that Chiang cannot be counted on to serve or acquiesce to Soviet purposes in any government or governments which may develop in China. Similarly, it possibly indicates that in July USSR had washed out in its plans likelihood of Chinese coalition govt.

Department please repeat to Nanking.

Durbrow