026 China/8–1949: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Jones) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 19—11:25 a. m.]
1837. Vehement hostility expressed in first two official CCP commentaries on White Paper, “a confession that could not be helped” and “prepare for struggle”, is not surprising. While articles are perhaps more vituperative and their tone less impersonal than usual Communist tirades against USA, it was to be expected that Communist reaction to White Paper would be violent. We detect extreme [Page 1400] sensitivity in commentary to White Paper description of CCP as Moscow stooges. CCP is obviously also considerably on defensive in two replies, particularly second, in its appeal to forces of democratic liberalism. On this point it is interesting to note CCP admission of strong attraction which USA and American way of life continues to have for Chinese moderate and conservative intellectuals.
Sent Department 1837, repeated Canton 780, Shanghai 1170, Moscow 58.