793.001/11–950: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Wilkinson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—10:14 p. m.]
1048. Many anti-Communist Chinese in close touch with political situation on mainland express view that although Korean intervention on large scale by Chinese Communists is underway there is still considerable element of bluffing Chinese Communist policy and that firm stand by UN will force them pull back. Among means suggested by these anti-Communist Chinese as effective in putting pressure on Peking are: (1) Far more stringent economic warfare to deprive Communists of urgently needed commodities which up to now have been slipping into China in fair volume through Tientsin; (2) heavy propaganda barrage directed at Chinese Communist troops in Korea to encourage defections, (3) strengthening of UN forces in Korea to point where serious setback can be administered overconfident Chinese troops imbued with concept American is “super tiger”; and (4) encouragement guerrilla activity in south and west China. Two further points relative to possibility forcing Chinese Communists back down have been mentioned. One is that they have avoided committing selves publicly to total War by referring Chinese Communists troops as “volunteers”. Other is that Chinese Communists have in case of Formosa shown selves capable of halting military move when faced by superior force and turning off propaganda build up. ConGen reports above not as own view but as representative of current thinking of large segment political conscious Chinese.
In accordance Deptel 809, September 22,1 ConGen has been closely following Chinese Communist press. Increasing scope and intensity of NCNA anti-American campaign past few days inclines us more and more to view that intervention will be on large scale. Chinese Communists are no longer talking of “long term war of attrition” but rather of “turning tide of war, annihilating and repulsing unconsolidated American invading troops and forcing aggressors accept just and peaceful solution of Korean question”. (Editorial from Peking People’s Daily November 6.) USALO continues receive reliable reports (USALO Hong Kong 266 November 62) of heavy troop movements north indicating at very least that Chinese Communists aware of serious risk that war will spread as result their intervention.
[Page 1129]As feeling grows locally that US will be involved for considerable period with Chinese Communist troops in Korea ConGen being approached more urgently by individuals seeking US support for intelligence work or guerrilla activities in mainland. ConGen endeavoring in discreet way learn as much as possible about such agents but maintaining completely noncommittal attitude regarding possibility any US aid.