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

893.01/11–648: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, November 6, 1948—10 a. m.
[Received November 6—3:30 a. m.]

2110. Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs Committee at meeting November 3 discussed Sino-American relations. From conflicting mass of statements made by committee members, following seem to emerge as general points of agreement:

1. Because of Yalta agreement,³⁷ mediation efforts, and insufficient aid, US largely to blame for current Chinese mess.

2. US should end fence straddling policy toward China.

3. US military aid to Nationalists is an obligation.

4. US has in last few years finally joined China’s 21-year-old anti-Communist campaign.

5. CCP³⁸ propaganda has led US to believe National Government corrupt and American aid ineffective.

6. China, while leaning heavily on US, must maintain independent foreign policy.

We believe this muddled thinking in large part is an indication of the desperation and panic which rule Government today, its frantic search for an answer, and its recognition of present hopeless situation.

Stuart

37. Signed February 11, 1945, Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 498, or 59 Stat, (pt. 2) 1823; also printed in Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Malta and Yalta, 1945, p. 984.
38. Chinese Communist Party.