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

893.00/11–2348: Telegram

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

Nanking, November 23, 1948—3 p. m.
[Received November 23—11:15 a. m.]

2287. Statement Central Executive Committee CCP, contained in Embtel 2280, November 22, constitutes by far strongest statement yet made by Chinese Communists on American aid to China.

We do not look upon this as ultimatum but rather as Far Eastern counterpart of same kind of tough talk we have grown accustomed to hear during past 3 years in USSR and eastern Europe. We believe statement reflects Chinese Communist fear that now, when greater war has almost been won, active armed intervention by USA or Chennault’s Flying Tigers⁵³ might tip scales back in favor of Nationalist Government. Statement also serves to confirm observation we made in Embtel 2273, November 21 that CCP is now being impelled to assume trappings and obligations of a world power.

We also believe that this important pronouncement is an extremely astute political and propaganda move in that it must appeal greatly to nationalism and xenophobia of many Chinese as well as to large body of public opinion which is convinced that no amount of American aid can now save Gimo and that peace could best be brought to this long suffering nation by cutting off US aid immediately.

Stuart

53. Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, former Commander of the U.S. 14th Air Force; president of Civil Air Transport. For correspondence on the revival of “Flying Tigers” in China, see vol. viii , “U.S. Military Assistance to China” (Ch. VI).