800.00B Communist International/1–848: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Changchun (Siebens) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 12—10:36 a. m.]
2. Reference Contel November 28, 3 p. m.25 Recent information regarding Comintern and other Soviet activity north Manchuria obtained [Page 14] various sources but primarily through Chinese Intelligence officer concerned that area follows. Information believed fairly reliable though subject to some error in detail. Parts obtained from Chinese Intelligence not believed to represent Nationalist effort to cry “wolf” and checks with miscellaneous information on subject from other sources.
Chief Soviet Intelligence and Propaganda Agency Communist-controlled areas Manchuria named International Directing Group with headquarters Harbin in former Japanese department stores seized by Russians 1945 and operated since then as “The International Book Store”, Size of building far out of proportion for ostensible needs. Book store visited by majority Soviet visitors Harbin and officials connected with store present at most Chinese Communist meetings to which Soviets invited. Source states Chinese Communists held military and political joint conferences at Harbin November 27 at which responsible official International Directing Group stated that Group responsible for certain Comintern activities. Directing Group alleged organized Harbin with Communists’ consent September 10, 1947. However, Soviet Intelligence center in book store operating since shortly after V–J Day with substantially same personnel as doing intelligence work Manchuria previously and with additional personnel left behind by Soviet forces upon retirement 1946.
First project Directing Group after establishment was launching in September of Communist political and educational activities through organization six units active at Peian, Mutankiang, Heiho, Tsitsihar, Harbin, Chiamussu, Organization expanded early October into 11 units, some of which sent into rural areas. Work these units apparently to organize Communist propaganda groups various localities. Personnel these unite reported consisting total 140 persons: 65 Russians, 45 Chinese, 16 Japanese, 14 Koreans. Mate and females employed all groups except Japanese. Project completed end November and personnel brought back to Harbin and disbanded, majority Russians returning to International Book Store and others dispersed various localities.
Secretly connected with directing group is Soviet military survey detachment, first discovered by sources December 1947 and which appears in some respects analogous to American Group,26 wears green uniforms similar to those Chinese Communist Railway Bureau and ostensibly concerned only with cartographic work. However, source stated group also engaged in considerable amount general intelligence work and equipped with 24 small radios in addition [Page 15] survey instruments. In recent months this group particularly active in survey work Mutankiang and Yenchi, Tumen, Hungwen areas Manchuria. Total number this group swollen to 219 end of November by addition 94 Japanese Army officers indoctrinated in Russia and sent Manchuria to aid group. Headquarters survey group Harbin also secretly adjunct to directing group and coordinated with survey detachment is Soviet Trade Bureau, stated by source to have been organized early 1946 with substantial number underground political workers Soviet Communist Party. Headquarters also at Harbin. Organization maintains active relations with Tschurin Company and Sino-Soviet Motion Picture Society. Though outward raison d’être this organization trade and commerce, source states it engaged in considerable amount intelligence work.
All three above-mentioned agencies reported by source as Comintern dominated. However, source confirms that Comintern activities Manchuria still primarily clandestine as of latter part December. Unconfirmed rumors re suspect nature, International Book Store and Soviet trade organization (Vneshtorg) have in past few months reached this office but operation military survey detachment previously unknown to me.
It is becoming increasingly evident that Soviet influence north Manchuria growing. As frequently reported concrete evidence active Soviet military assistance to Chinese Communists lacking, and such aid probably continues to be small. Chief contribution that line made shortly after V–J Day with turnover substantial amount Japanese supplies well equipped Kwantung Army to Chinese Communists, and now probably restricted to trade involving petroleum products and items Japanese armament initially removed by Soviets which Chinese Communists may desire and which difficult to trace to source.
Soviets probably do not desire see pace Communist military success outstrip pace own encroachment on control Chinese Communist Party. Believe that although elements schism exist in ranks Communists Manchuria, Soviets will endeavor through Chinese international Communists on top levels Manchuria such as Li Li-san27 and General Chou Pao-chung,28 to keep potentially dissident element satisfied until time Soviet power in Chinese Communist ranks judged sufficient to permit purge of “betrayers of the revolution”. Extent of progress Soviets this direction difficult assess from here but palpable.
While Soviet machinations to control Manchuria perhaps not as obvious as similar efforts Europe and have not progressed as far, believe it axiomatic that magnificence Manchurian prize inspiring powerful [Page 16] and determined effort on Soviet part. Circumstances playing into Soviet hands to give them economic hegemony North Manchuria. Tschurin Company especially receiving highly preferential treatment and reputed to hate supplied considerable capital for development grain mills and other light industry North Manchuria. Substantial grain trade with Soviets unquestionably exists. Unconfirmed reports from university students here (some of whom refugees from Communist areas) indicate Soviets successful in attractive offers to selected Manchurian students for study in Soviet Union at no cost. These students reported leaving via Manchuria. Chinese intelligence officer has also mentioned this, alleging school for training future Chinese Communist political leaders exists near Moscow and Northeast Provinces well represented there.
Please relay to Embassy Nanking.
Please relay to Embassy Nanking.