893.01/10–749: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7—6:59 a. m.]
395. Following is gist of information supplied by Ratnam, First Secretary, Indian Mission in Japan, recently returned on General Gordon from 5-month stay Nanking, part time as Chargé:
British Ambassador in China, Sir Ralph Stevenson, strongly recommends immediate recognition Chinese Communist regime by British Government for economic reasons and on principle that this is only realistic approach to Chinese problem. Recognition according to Chinese Communist definition must be de jure or not at all and must be on a reciprocal basis. Ratnam claims in discussions with British Ambassador he advised against immediate recognition until assured that China not [now?] essential in solution of larger world problem. Ratnam also confident Indian Government will not immediately recognize Chinese Communists unless influenced by UK to follow latter’s lead. He furthermore convinced precipitate recognition by UK solely on economic grounds will eventually result “in chasing rainbow” as Marxist indoctrination Chinese Communist administrators ensures eventual direct or indirect (by extortionate taxation) confiscation foreign properties. He believes that when foreigners have been utilized strengthen Communist regime, their usefulness will be at an end and foreigners thrown out. Ratnam personally thinks precipitate recognition would be mistake and that China situation should be carefully watched especially with reference possibilities continued major opposition by Chinese National Government.
From his observations and numerous conversations with Soviet Embassy friends Nanking, Ratnam convinced entire Chinese Communist effort is directed on high-level centralized basis by Soviet Russia although he unable obtain any information disclosing connection between Soviet Embassy personnel and Chinese Communists. He states entire pattern Chinese Communist regime from top to bottom closely follows Soviet Russian pattern and that in no instance could he discover any divergence from usual Soviet organization or policy line. While greatly impressed with self-discipline Chinese Communists and apparent immediate improvement in administration after take-over, Ratnam attributes these factors to utter ruthlessness with which Communist policies carried out among Chinese people.
Comment upon Ratnam: Considered an able and intelligent observer. Excuses his admitted associations with Japanese pro-Communists [Page 106] as necessary in order find out how Communist Party operates and states followed similar associations for same reason in China. In light these proclivities, consider above remarks unusually revealing.