893.00/12–2348: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—3:52 a. m.]
3005. Fear I did some injustice to my Chinese colleague in mytel 2936, December 16. In talk this morning he opened by expressing his great apprehension lest well meaning American friends try to influence Chinese to accept government coalition with Communists and begged me to do what I could to make dangers of such course clear. He said that while he used to believe cooperation and even coalition with Communists possible he had since seen enough from Moscow to realize that coalition would be the only sure way to lose all of China. He feels, however, that if such compromise can be prevented Chinese situation will follow traditional pattern with warlords breaking off and eventually Nationalist sentiment re-emerging. He personally hopes this can center around Kmt and that latter’s base will be broadened, without inclusion of Communists, enough to rally the support of real liberal elements now supporting Communists.
Sent Department, repeated Nanking 55.