893.00/1–848
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14.]
Sir: I have the honor to report the position I have been taking when questioned by Chinese about the outlook for their country. In general I have tried to abstain from any unnecessary comment. But the situation has been deteriorating so seriously with no immediate prospect of improvement, and my relationships with many individuals or groups as well as with the public at large have been of such a nature that it would have been difficult to remain completely silent. Those both within the Government or who are more or less nonpartisan tend either toward a mood of despairing pessimism or one of helpless reliance on America to save the situation. There is also a large element who are so disillusioned regarding the present Government that they are against our aiding it, although they have no positive suggestions.
I have pointed out therefore that although there were no indications of a resumption of peace-talks nor of a decisive military victory or defeat, yet there was no reason for ceasing to hope and to struggle for a constructive solution. This seemed to me to lie in the direction of a triangular pattern.
- (1)
- The Government had made a good beginning by its determination to revise the earlier Constitution and to put the new and much better one into effect. It was also endeavoring to achieve various reforms or progressive measures but met with many difficulties within its own membership and outside.
- (2)
- Now that the Constitution had been promulgated as in force the citizens must claim their rights and assume their responsibilities. Otherwise it could not be of any practical value. No party in any democratic system could alone maintain constitutional government. At this rudimentary stage in China, the intellectuals, the liberals, the writers, must arouse and organize the populace to assert the will of the people. If this involved dangers the same was true of soldiers on the battlefield, and the larger such a movement grew in volume the less risk to individuals would there be. As public opinion thus became articulate the better elements in the Government would be helped in their efforts for reform and there would inevitably be signs of this. Not to believe this is to abandon all hope that democracy can really work. On the other hand this is the only way in which it can.
- (3)
- This favorable interaction between Government and people would make it very much easier for the United States to render assistance in a form that would benefit the people and the nation rather than any one element within it. Such assistance would also inspire new hopes and these ought in turn to stimulate more fruitful endeavors within China. As evidences increased of administrative improvements [Page 18] and of popular support, the skepticism now rife in America as to such possibilities would be diminished and there would be a greater readiness to undertake our share in the realization of these objectives which Chinese and Americans alike have in mind.
All this seems commonplace enough but it is surprising how appreciative those with whom I talk and the readers of the press reports seem to be.
Respectfully yours,