761.93/10–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 3—11:23 p.m.]
2026. Reference Shanghai’s telegram 2316, September 30, 1 p.m. to Department. As a correlation to the information reported by Shanghai, Embassy has noted that the Chinese press throughout the country has during recent weeks perceptibly decreased the amount and sharpness of its criticism of the Soviets. Whereas a month ago [Page 308] issues such as Dairen, Sinkiang and Outer Mongolia provoked criticism of the Russians, which in many instances was even unbridled and irresponsible, such comment has now almost entirely disappeared. There has, in fact, been little criticism since the Peitashan fiasco.88 Any comment which does appear now of the Russians is usually couched in the generalized terms of Confucian platitudes expressing the Chinese hope that all men will be tolerant and understanding. Since the basic attitudes of the Russians toward various problems in China have not changed, the shift in tenor of Chinese public expression must be considered as calculated.
With the above change, there has also been an increase in the volume of criticism of the United States. This has not yet taken other than a general form but it is noticeable that almost nowhere is a kind word said in the press any more for Americans or American policy.