893.00B/8–1549: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Jones) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—10:21 a. m.]
1794. Various indications that CCP considers USA number one enemy are of interest. Australian Ambassador while in Shanghai recently had conversation with educated, thoughtful leftist whom he described as fellow-traveler but not Communist. His informant said CCP hostility to USA implacable and based on three counts:
- (1)
- US is still supply military aid to Kuomintang. He referred to recently announced $10,000,000 military aid program (possibly referring to OFLC’s final report80 including $12,000,000 worth combat material sold China. See Radio Bulletin 178, July 29).
- (2)
- USA had instigated and was supporting Nationalist Government’s blockade of Communist China ports. (This conviction strengthened by reported statement to press in Tokyo by Admiral Badger in early June re Nationalist Government mining of Yangtze mouth.81)
- (3)
- USA was obviously backing anti-Communist Pacific pact growing out of Chiang-Quirino talks.
Australian Ambassador received impression that while his informant was supposedly only repeating Communist viewpoint he was actually convinced himself by apparent reasonableness Communist position.
According to … source, Hong Kong report, Chiang Mu, Communist representative there, recently delivered tirade against USA basing accusations on practically identical charges those listed above with one addition: That US was making silver available to Nationalist Government. Canadian diplomatic secretary, recently Shanghai, when applying for return permit Nanking was “lectured” at length by [Page 488] official Alien Affair’s Office on iniquities American imperialism. Same Canadian in recent encounter with Communist soldier for violation restricted military area Nanking received profuse apology when soldier discovered that he was not American.
CCP reply to White Paper82 (see Embtel 1785, August 14 to Department;83 repeated Shanghai 990) is perhaps more vituperative than usual.
Constant violent Communist propaganda against USA is undoubtedly having its effects on minds and attitudes of Chinese, particularly those subject to any degree of indoctrination, such as civil military employees. Effects on local populace much less impressive and Americans are treated with same friendly curiosity by people as before.
Sent Department; repeated OffEmb Canton 756, Shanghai 994.
- Department of State, Office of the Foreign Liquidation Commissioner, Report to Congress on Foreign Surplus Disposal, July 1949.↩
- For further documentation, see vol. ix, pp. 1098 ff.↩
- Department of State, United States Relations With China (Government Printing Office, 1949).↩
- Not printed.↩