121.893/7–2947: Telegram
General Wedemeyer to the Secretary of State
34. Dear Mr. Secretary: The Mission arrived in China one week ago. Current conditions in the area are strikingly similar to the confused situation you depicted in your report upon departure from China last January,57 although unquestionably there has been serious deterioration, since, both economically and militarily. Confidence in the Government has been severely shaken due to its inability to cope with the Communist situation and to economic problems. Uniformly, we are impressed by all contacts, that drastic reforms and changes in key positions of the Government must be made, or the Generalissimo’s position as President will become untenable, resulting unquestionably in his downfall.
My Mission unfortunately is considered by the Chinese at large as a panacea of all Chinese ills. We are expected to solve practically overnight, all the major critical and long existing problems of this complex area. This attitude was placed in bold relief by the categorical statement of T. V. Soong to the effect that if our Mission failed [Page 683] to provide timely and realistic assistance, the fall of the Chinese Government would be inevitable. There would be retrogression, warlord domination of regions or provinces and, concomitantly, communism would spread rapidly and unabated throughout Asia.
Contacts have been made and will continue with representatives of the Government, liberal elements, labor, business and professional fields. Contacts of course are being made with Americans in the Embassy and those in military, naval and business activities.
Members of the Mission have been subjected to every artifice in Chinese attempts to elicit reaction on my part to their particular proposals or to conditions prevailing in the area. We have scrupulously avoided oral or written statements that might indicate our thinking. Throughout we have emphasized the fact-finding nature of our Mission. Mark Watson and Brad Connors are rendering excellent service in this regard.
My current impression is one of apathy and bewilderment on the part of the Chinese. Every one tells me about the terrible conditions that prevail. We are encouraging suggestions as to how to alleviate them. Inflation, corruption, disregard and disrespect for constituted or delegated authority is witnessed on all sides. Invariably, they place the blame for their precarious position upon the Yalta Agreement and the current United States–Soviet inability to resolve differences. Many Chinese have emphasized the point that the Yalta Agreement which was consummated without Chinese representation, knowledge or approval, permitted Soviet Russian influence and ultimate domination in Manchuria and parts of North China.
Having noted the apathy among many Chinese with whom we have come in contact, there are, on the other hand, reports which would indicate excellent spirit, almost a fanatical fervor, within Chinese Communist ranks. This of course can be partly attributed to their recent military successes and the booty and prizes attained thereby. However, their leaders and perhaps many in the ranks seem to believe in their cause.
I feel that the Nationalist Chinese are spiritually insolvent. They do not understand why they should die or make any sacrifices. They have lost confidence in their leaders, political and military, and they foresee complete collapse. Those in positions of responsibility are therefore corruptly striving to obtain as much as they can before the collapse. Nationalist soldiers reflecting this general attitude, simply do not want to fight and their response is increasingly apathetic and ineffective.
The Mission visited Shanghai for 2 days and accomplished a great deal. While there, Mr. Monnett Davis and his assistants conducted an [Page 684] excellent briefing covering political, economic and psychological factors. Davis appears to have an efficient organization.
At present, our plans envisage a week’s trip to the north beginning August 1. There we will visit Peiping, Tientsin, Mukden, Fushun and Tsinan. Though the situation appears depressing at the moment, I am determined that this Mission will produce some positive and affirmative recommendations for your consideration.
- See United States Relations With China, p. 686 or Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. x, p. 672.↩