795.00/3–3051: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
2823. In conversation at ConGen, former Brit Chargé at Peiping Hutchison expressed belief that fear of US intentions was important factor impelling Chi Commies to intervene Korea. He felt Chi leaders convinced by US action Korea, aid to Vietnam and Siam and plans for strong Japan that they being encircled. They believe US milit leaders bent on stifling development of Chi revolution and preventing Chi from taking position of leadership in Asia which rightfully due her. Consequently, they considered UN action Korea carried out by MacArthur to be real threat, since, in their view UN controlled by US. Chi explain failure of UN so far to attack Manchuria as due to UN fear it wld bring USSR. Hutchison thinks Chi believe Russia will come their aid if Chi terr attacked.
Hutchison believes Chi will not accept cease-fire Korea unless their demands for simultaneous action on Chi Commie representation UN and Formosa question are met. However, he believes heavy losses [Page 278] being inflicted on them will have salutary effect and may lead to typically Chi settlement in form of undeclared cease-fire which wld in effect restore situation prevailing before June 1950. He saw no evidence of dissension within CCP over Korea war nor was there anything but rumor to indicate whether “internationalist” and “Nationalist” clique exist within party.
Hutchison considers Chi Commies primarily interested in reconstruction of country which likely take 20 to 30 years, by which time Chi leaders will have become much more Chi and less [garbled group] Commie than is case today. He minimizes Russian influence on Chi feeling that since Mao and Chi came to power with very little Russian aid they are unlikely to submit to Russian dictatorship. He sees Chi leaders as convinced Marxist-Leninists, but believes they think of themselves rather than Kremlin as leader of Asia. However, the more pressure the West exerts on Chi the more Chi will be forced to depend on USSR and the less able act independently. Russians are not much in evidence in Peiping according to Hutchison and there is no fraternization between them and Chinese.
Hutchison much impressed efficiency and integrity of Commie officials. However, he appeared to have very little concrete info about conditions Chi. He said, for example he had no way of knowing whether Korea war and Amer embargo had had any effect on Chi economy.