893.50 Recovery/4–2748: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot)
791. Publicity re Congressional hearings on question military aid to China12 has probably overshadowed thesis China aid program designed help Chinese people as indicated in Dept’s proposed China aid bill. One of major policy information guides, listed in Deptel 300, Feb 13 [17]13, was, however, that purpose program was to benefit Chinese people. Emphasis should continue to be given to this theme. (Sent Shanghai as 791, repeated Nanking as 653).
Issuance statement along lines suggested final para urtel Apr 2714 might well be interpreted here and in China as hedging on our support of Gimo, thus providing target for criticism here and in China and tending weaken Chi Govt. Difficult to see how we can correct popular “misunderstanding” that U. S. support Gimo means underwriting his reactionary coterie without giving impression we are, in effect, disowning the Gimo himself or are at least indifferent continuation his-rule.
Dept therefore believes most useful course would be continue handling news and comments re program in manner designed emphasize its benefit to Chinese people by helping meet Chinese economic needs.
Embassy’s comment requested on Shanghai’s suggestion.15
- United States Foreign Policy for a Post-War Recovery Program: Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, 80th Cong., 1st and 2d sess., pts. 1 and 2.↩
- No. 270, February 17, to the Ambassador in China, vol. viii “U.S. Economic Aid to China” (Ch. I).↩
- No. 933, p. 209.↩
- See Embassy’s telegram No. 860, May 13, 9 a. m., p. 229.↩