Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VII

893.00/1–1948: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, January 19, 1948—8 p. m.
[Received January 19—7:52 a. m.]

129. ReContel 94 to Nanking, repeated Department as 128. As a newcomer I am impressed by apparent implications of Saturday’s demonstrations. Whatever forces were responsible for organizing the demonstration, fact that thousands of students were readily led by incident which exclusively involved English to demonstrate also against Americans suggests we are losing largely by default battle for their minds and perhaps those of other important segments of Chinese opinion. Whatever purpose of fomenters of demonstrations may have been, sincerity of rank and file of demonstrators could scarcely be doubted. It is strange commentary that nationalistic feeling can be stirred up against US despite traditional friendship rather than against Soviet Russia, which has done so much more to offend Chinese nationalist sensibilities. This plus good organization suggests there was something fishy about demonstrations and that elements in Government are playing tortuous game.

Whatever the inspiration of demonstrations, I believe it shows increased need for getting our case before students. I suggest consideration of following measures: (1) Representations to Chinese authorities that first front on which to take initiative must be ideological front and that so long as Chinese Government makes no serious attempt to discourage attacks on US while repressing attacks on patent Russian imperialism any aid from US must be ineffective and will be so considered by Congress; (2) allocation of Fulbright funds⁸⁷ with direct purpose of combatting anti-American sentiment in Chinese educational institutions.

Demonstrations also make clear need for greatly increased activity on part of USIS and hence of appropriations for it. We must not continue to let our case go by default.

Sent Nanking 95, repeated Department as 129.

Cabot

87. Provided by the Fulbright Act, approved August 1, 1946; 60 Stat. 754; see also agreement of November 10, 1947, establishing the U. S. Educational Foundation in China, Department of State Treaties and International Acts Series No. 1687, or 61 Stat. (pt. 4) 3582.