893.00/2–1549: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—10:46 a. m.]
398. Re Moscow telegram February 2, sent Department 259, repeated Nanking 21.43 Increased Soviet press emphasis on contributions to Communist war effort of Chinese working class, as distinct from peasantry, which was so neatly picked up by Embassy Moscow, finds strong parallel in recent North Shensi broadcasts and CCP publications from Hong Kong.
This change in local emphasis is not very great and dates, generally, from about last October. We think it is explicable largely in terms of new conditions Communists face as result of their capture of numerous large cities, beginning with Tsinan last September. Also, same problems Communists are finding in dealing with urban populations will, according to their announced timetable, confront them this year in all remainder of China, most particularly in Shanghai and Hankow industrial areas. Presumably, therefore, Communists’ propaganda organs are now attempting to mold public opinion in such way as to obtain maximum support for CCP from its newly acquired urban proletariat.
Sent Department 398, pouched Shanghai, Canton, repeated Moscow 16.
- Not printed.↩