893.00/11–2548: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—2:11 a. m.]
489. Vice Minister of Information Tao Hsi-sheng in interview with Chinese press November 23 Peiping stated (Peiping Chronicle November 24 version) that he considered situation more stable both Peiping and south with confidence people restored as result “improved war situation in Hsuchow”. He said Generalissimo had conferred unlimited military, political and economic authority North China on General Fu Tso-yi “because Government official, and citizens in Nanking placed the same explicit (sic) trust in General Fu as their northern compatriots do”.
In response to question re reputed intention General Chennault resurrect American “Flying Tigers”, Tao said ‘no views have been shown by the Central Government’ but he remarked that some 200 to 300 Americans “have answered Major General Chennault’s call” and stated that “it would naturally draw more attention of the US Government to China’s warfare if the number of volunteers reaches 800 or 1,000 and all come to China and participate in the fighting. If the ‘Flying Tigers’ should participate in the warfare, Soviet Russia may dispatch volunteer air force to China and another great war may break out when planes of these two countries meet in the air.
“But that depends on whether Russia has any determination to wage war,” Mr. Tao continued.
As regards talk of peace, Tao emphasized that to talk peace meant to stop fighting, that if Nationalists stop fighting Communists would continue in which case Government is bound to suffer, that war must go on for peace talk constituted Communism infiltration tactics. Tao held that it was Communist policy to start leniently with gradual tightening ring of severe control. Tao said matter of immediate importance was to stem military tide and then seek favorable development. Expression optimism over China’s future, Vice Minister Tao concluded by stressing need for change military strategy and tactics:
“All that has nothing to do with the war must be done away with.”
Except as indicated above by subquotes Peiping Chronicle item evidently constituted only summary version Vice Minister Tao’s version and not direct complete quotation.
Sent Department, repeated Nanking 723, Shanghai 473 and Tientsin.