893.00/11–1748: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—5:47 a. m.]
465. At public gathering celebrating anniversary birthday Sun Yat-sen (November 12), Commander in Chief of North China Bandit Suppression Headquarters Fu Tso-yi made important speech of which substance was as follows (translation Hua Pei Jih Pao version November 13).
As result military developments Manchuria, Communist forces that area will push onwards against North China and increase Nationalist burdens here. Study of military reverses Manchuria indicate Nationalist defeat not in battle but by their own collapse and disorder. Nationalist failures in suppression rebellion entirely due to Nationalist corruption and impotence which enabled enemy score certain temporary and partial gains. Communists were able defeat corruption and impotence because embezzlement and corruption ought to be defeated. But Communist totalitarianism, terrorism and cruelty cannot overcome Chinese ideals democracy, freedom and peace.
Looking at situation in prospect it is noted that understanding of North China people has been increased through innumerable tragic experiences and that those people now know that rebellion is not simple ordinary civil war but struggle between two different ways of life—between democracy, freedom and peace on one hand and totalitarianism, terrorism and cruelty on other. Despite recent Communist propaganda to effect that they would cease “liquidations” (Ching Suan) and “struggle” (Tou Cheng), North China people know well such propaganda is deceptive trick. Most of Government force North China are uncorrupt. They possess ideals, live simply and fight and sacrifice themselves for certain principles and for the people. If in recent fighting Manchuria various Nationalist forces could have aided each other in accordance with plans, they might have gained big victory instead of suffering defeat.
Nationalist fight for maintenance National independence and dignity, for realization Three People’s Principles, for world peace, freedom and democracy. Nationalist military strength North China is great and with solid support of people Nationalist forces would be able suppress rebellion. For development universal and intensive total war following important points must nevertheless be observed for close coordination between military, political, economic and cultural groups:
- (1)
- Purging of Communist elements and extirpation treacherous elements to end that Nationalist interior be stabilized and rear consolidated; [Page 580] (2) Manifestation resolute fighting powers through high morale and high training in warfare; (3) Identification Governmental economic policies and interests of the people; (4) Opposition to embezzlement and corruption; (5) Overthrow of concepts of favoritism within and between cliques with consolidation of all forces into combat strength; (6) Consolidation of strength of the people and unification armed forces Government and people with coordination for winning ultimate victory.
In conclusion General Fu said there was only one truth, namely, that there would ultimately be victory in fighting to suppress rebellion and he expressed belief that “Democracy and freedom will eventually defeat totalitarianism and terrorism.”
Sent Department 465, repeated Nanking 694, Shanghai 459 and Tientsin.