893.00/3–2748: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 27—5:45 a. m.]
703. Phrasing of local anti-conscription propaganda reported in Contel 473, March 25, repeated Department as 674, would seem at first blush suggest authorship by Communists, who have been exploiting unpopularity conscription as one of their most effective themes in this and other areas. Curiously propaganda makes no mention of Generalissimo, traditional central target of Communist abuse, which perhaps might mean either that Communists consider Generalissimo’s fall certain and feel that attack should henceforth be concentrated on entire regime, or that handbills are work not of Communists but of some group which is trying to force Generalissimo to move away from US and toward settlement with USSR and Communists.
Awareness of extent of public indignation over conscription and its notorious abuses (which is regarded by many as being more efficacious in producing dollars for crooks than soldiers for army) and consequent political capital to be won from leading an anti-conscription campaign is by no means confined to Communists leftists. Recent press editorials indicate general realization by various Kmt as well as other factions of desirability of becoming identified as “reformists”. CC paper Shun Pao recently expressed itself in favor of reforms which included abolition of conscription and food commandeering and there is some reason to expect that there may shortly be established at Shanghai by Kmt (including CC) elements new reformist organization which will include same items in its program.
Distribution of bills seems obviously timed to exploit current pitch of local popular feeling over drawing of names for Shanghai’s quota 6000 draftees and increase movement for evasions and desertions which appears to be already active. Local press reports that authorities are even afraid to announce names of conscriptees as it results in men running away.
Sent Nanking 492, repeated Department 703.