893.00/1–848: Airgram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14—2:29 p. m.]
A–11. The Department may have noted that the general tone of the message issued by the Generalissimo on New Year’s Day (re Embassy’s airgram A–4 of January 229), was one of great confidence, alleging that Communist armies would be destroyed during 1948, though the work of pacification would require a longer period.
This note of optimism and confidence which was echoed in statements by other prominent National leaders at the same time is startling since it is known to the Embassy that the real mood of the Generalissimo is one of depression and discouragement and since it is also known that the situation of the National Government both militarily and economically is worse than it has been at any time since the end of the war against Japan.
The Embassy believes this contradiction may arise from a Chinese tendency to believe that saying a thing makes it so. It is quite apparent that morale in the Government is at an extremely low ebb and needing reenforcement. Some high officials seem to believe that the low morale is largely a psychological state and that merely exuding an air of confidence will improve the situation. Though this cheery tone may have the desired effect internally, it hardly seems calculated to improve the position of the National Government vis-à-vis American public opinion.
- Not printed.↩