893.00/12–947: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Durbrow) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 9—12:17 p.m.]
3337. Most direct attack Kmt Government and fulsome praise Chinese Communists to appear Soviet press during recent months contained significant Pravda article December 6 “Upsurge of People’s Liberation Struggle in China” by K. Evgeniev, well-known commentator Chinese affairs. As pointed out Embassy A–1240, November 19,83 Soviet Press caution in treatment Chinese Central Government was broken by New Times November 12; present article continues attack but gives unusual emphasis to strength virtues Chinese Communists.
Evgeniev views optimistically “People’s Liberation Army” offensive and quotes President Executive Yuan as having informed National Political Council October 18 that Central Government now controls only 9 percent territory Manchuria, 91 percent held by “democratic” authorities. Authority describes Chinese economic crisis, labor troubles, peasant revolts, student strikes, demonstrations, police terror, defections within Kmt party and November 23 “elections” “boycotted by overwhelming majority Chinese workers”.
On contrary conditions Chinese “liberated areas” said to be quite otherwise. Anna Louise Strong84 quoted on CP numbers, area and land reform. Regime being elected “from people and for people”. Workers actively support local democratic governments and initiator democratic regimes: Chinese CP.
Concluding on usual note that Kmt policy transforms China into colony American imperialism and weapon US aggressive aspirations, article affirms Chinese CP calls all Chinese to unite single national [Page 397] front and organize “democratic coalition government”. “In spite US aid and unrestrained police terror Kmt government powerless suppress movement for democratic revival China, which is evidence that Chinese reaction and American imperialists have no future in China.”
Embassy believes Pravda article one more indication constant and increasing Soviet interest Chinese developments perhaps presaging more open intensified encouragement in all forms to Chinese Communists in struggle for Manchuria and North China.
Sent Department 3337; Department pass Nanking 25.