893.20 Missions/1–8148: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 31—9:02 a.m.]
193. Referring to your 153, January 30, 1 p.m., I am convinced that we are so deeply involved already in Chinese affairs that we cannot avoid a certain share of responsibilities unless we promptly and completely withdraw AAG and NAG31 and all other forms of aid to China. This would result in disintegration of present government and rapid expansion of Communist influence. On other hand, I feel confident that the authorization given Gen. Barr in your 1436, November 28, 5 p.m.,32 if understood as permitting over-all planning to meet actual situation and as assuring supply of material he deems necessary, will be sufficiently effective to accomplish our purpose.
This would assume advice as to eliminating civil and military venal or incompetent personnel and other reforms intended to retain popular support without which no amount of American military or financial aid would be successful. There is in such a course an element of risk but I believe it to be abundantly worth attempting and the alternative seems to me unthinkable. General Barr would naturally keep you constantly informed so that any contemplated advice could be stopped if contrary to American global policy. On this basis we can reasonably look for new hope and more initiative in self-help.
The Generalissimo is probably aware of critical situation he is facing and would accept, however reluctantly, even unpalatable advice if he realized that further assistance were conditioned upon his acceptance.
- Army Advisory Group and Navy Advisory Group.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. vii, p. 923.↩