121.893/8–2447: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—3:40 a.m.]
1789. Following statement distributed to press 10 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) August 24:
General Wedemeyer on leaving China today issued the following statement:
“As promised in my initial press release, an inquiry into economic, political, military and social conditions has been undertaken without commitment or prejudgement. All members of the mission have [Page 760] striven for objectivity and impartiality. To that end, we have travelled widely to escape the influences peculiar to any one area, visiting Mukden and Fushun in Manchuria, Peking, Tientsin, Tsingtao, and Tsinan, in North China, Nanking, Shanghai and Hankow in Central China, Canton in South China and also the island of Taiwan.
“Successful efforts were made to reach all classes and categories of people as measured by economic position, intellectual attainment and divergent political viewpoints. Foreign businessmen and officials have been interviewed. We have seen officials of the National and local Governments and members of various political organizations, many of whom were frankly critical of the Government and some of whom were very far to the left in their views. We have received approximately 2,000 letters, a small proportion anonymous. These letters contain many suggestions which we have been able to follow up advantageously.
“The last week of our stay in China has been devoted chiefly to analyzing the enormous mass of data accumulated and relating political, economic and other items to each other in order to reach sound judgements and conclusions. Varied as were the views of many, there has been one point on which all hearts and minds in China unite. Throughout strife-torn China there is a passionate longing for peace, an early peace and a lasting peace. I wish the means of attaining it were as easily discernible.
“After VJ-Day the Chinese people rightfully expected to enjoy the fruits of their hard-earned victory. They had endured hardships and dangers and suffered untold privations in their efforts to expel a ruthless invader. In China today I find apathy and lethargy in many quarters. Instead of seeking solutions to the problems presented, considerable time and effort are spent in blaming outside influences or in seeking outside assistance. It is discouraging to note the abject defeatism of many Chinese who are competent and normally patriotic, and who instead should be full of hope and determination. Weakened and disrupted by long years of war and revolution, China still possesses most of the physical resources needed for her own rehabilitation. Recovery awaits inspirational leadership and a moral and spiritual resurgence which can come only from within China.
“While I am fully aware of the interests and problems of particular individuals or groups within the country, I am profoundly concerned with the welfare of the Chinese people as a whole. It is my conviction that if the Chinese Communists are truly patriotic and are interested primarily in the well-being of their country, they will stop voluntarily the employment of force in their efforts to impose ideologies. If they are sincere in their desire to help the Chinese people they can better do so by peaceful means in lieu of the violence and destruction which have marked these last tragic months.
“Equally important, the existing Central Government can win and retain the undivided and enthusiastic support of the bulk of the Chinese people, by removing the incompetent and/or corrupt officials that now occupy many positions of responsibility in the Government, not only in the national organization, but more so in the provincial and municipal structures.
[Page 761]“There are honorable officials who show high efficiency and devotion to duty and who strive to live within their ridiculously low salaries and such legitimate private means as they possess, just as there are conscientious businessmen who live up to a high code of commercial ethics. But no one will misunderstand my emphasis upon the large number whose conduct is notoriously marked by greed or incompetence or both.
“To regain and maintain the confidence of the people, the Central Government will have to put into effect immediately, drastic and far-reaching political and economic reforms. Promises will no longer suffice. Performance is absolutely necessary. It should be accepted that military force in itself will not eliminate communism.
“On taking leave, all members of my mission join me in expressing sincere gratitude for the assistance which has been uniformly given by the Generalissimo and by all patriotic Chinese with Whom we have come in contact. We appreciate the hospitality and courtesies extended. All Americans hope and pray that China will achieve the unity, prosperity and happiness which her people so richly deserve and of which they have been unjustly deprived for so many years.”
Department requested to furnish Taylor, War Department, with copy. Statement distributed throughout China through USIS facilities.12
- For telegrams (Nos. 1814, August 26, 11 p.m., and 1838, August 30) concerning General Wedemeyer’s statements and departure, see United States Relations With China, pp. 824 and 816, respectively.↩