893.00/1–1747: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State

84. Possibility of split in CCP24 cannot be ignored but available information tends to show that at present time such a split is most improbable. Within recent months reports of cleavages within CCP ranks have been handed a number of American correspondents for their “confidential” information by officials of Central Government. (ReDeptel unnumbered, January 13, 9 p.m. [a.m.] relaying message from Moscow.25) Similar reports have been published in one form or another in pro-Kmt26 vernacular newspapers in north China. It is suggested that Department forward Moscow copy of Embassy despatch 231, October 31,27 on subject of reported schism in CCP.

In China perhaps no other group is more keenly aware of need for unity of action than Communists, particularly at present time when failure to maintain a solid front would inevitably insure their destruction. It may be anticipated that Central Government will foster for foreign consumption the belief that CCP is disintegrating into numerous factions without unity as a political party since the systematic elimination by force of disassociated and heterogeneous factions would be expected to be more palatable abroad than an all-out offensive to eliminate an organized party in opposition to government.

Stuart
  1. Chinese Communist Party.
  2. Not printed; see telegram No. 59, January 15, 4 p.m., to the Ambassador in China, p. 15.
  3. Kuomintang.
  4. Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. x, p. 453.