893.00/7–3149: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—5:10 a. m.]
1666. Hsin Hua Jih Pao July 18 reprinted editorial from Chang Chiang Jih Pao commenting on Lin Piao’s54 recent announcement that in Central China main emphasis to be placed on rural areas rather than cities. Editorial confirms that new policy expected continue 3 or 4 years “until land reform completed and Sun Yat-sen’s land-to-the-tiller policy realized”. With regard to attitude CCP members, editorial pointedly remarks:
“We make no bones about fact that ever since announcement of the policy of Central Committee’s second plenary session, and particularly at this time when rapid progress is being made in the war, certain problems have arisen in thought of our senior officers. Some of them think that, now that revolution has succeeded, they should start to enjoy fruits of labor. Consequently they prefer cities to countryside, and industrial work to rural work. Persons who entertain such thoughts may orally agree to go out into the country, but actually they are afraid of hardships. They will not do a good job even if they remain in the city.
“Another group of persons misinterpret sentiment plenary sessions placing of emphasis on cities. They flock to cities where there is little or no industry, leaving countryside to be exploited by ruffians, bandits and secret service agents. In accepting new policy of Central China Bureau, these two groups of people should reflect on causes of their erroneous thoughts and take action to correct them. Erroneous thoughts, if not corrected, will be detrimental to execution of new policy. At present, such bourgeois thoughts as fear of hardships, seeking of material enjoyment, pride and egotism, contempt for others, concern with position, and disobedience to organization are chief dangerous thoughts, which will resist the execution of new policy with all kinds of excuses. We call on Communist leading organs at different levels in Central China to pay attention to these dangerous thoughts and overcome them.
“Now that new policy of Central China Bureau has been announced, we hope Committee members and all revolutionary workers will enthusiastically put it into effect; and leading organs at different levels will follow new policy by setting a good example, and at same time mobilize and organize senior officers so as to insure success of new policy. Our slogan is: ‘Go to rural areas!’ ‘Mix with masses of peasants!’”
- Communist military commander in North China.↩