793.94/8–2144
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
No. 2894
Chungking, August 21,
1944.
[Received September 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of the
Kweilin Consulate’s despatch to the Embassy no. 129, August 10, 1944,
entitled “Political Aspects of Present Japanese Campaign in China”,
containing allegations which the Consulate describes as “reasonably
accurate” of an understanding between the Generalissimo and the Japanese.
According to a notation at the end of the despatch, a copy was sent forward
direct to the Department.
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The Embassy believes that the Consulate’s statements and opinions in this
respect were not well-considered and that they should be treated with the
greatest reserve. There is, of course, little doubt that tacit
understandings have arisen between (or with the connivance of) individual
Chinese and Japanese commanders or units in various places where the “front”
has become static and trade has developed across the lines between the
Chinese and Japanese forces. But we have not received any indication that an
understanding such as that alleged or implied by Mr. Ringwalt exists or has
possibility of coming into being. It seems to us that from the Chinese point
of view such understanding would be pointless, except possibly as a
makeshift temporary expedient, and would also be without material benefit to
the Japanese military whose occupying forces have in any case little to fear
from possible (if improbable) Chinese attack and who would not likely be
trusting enough, if such understanding did exist, to seek the benefit of
withdrawing garrisons for use elsewhere. From the political point of view
the entering into such understanding would be suicidal for Chiang Kai-shek
whose hopes not only for power in world affairs but for the survival of
himself and his regime in China depend more and more as time goes by on the
support of the United States and the other principal Allies.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
The Consul at Kweilin (Ringwalt) to the
Ambassador in China (Gauss)
No. 129
Kweilin, August 10,
1944.
Sir: I have the honor to submit hereunder a
report on certain political aspects of the present Japanese campaign in
China. As indicated in the context, much of the material has been
obtained from associates of Marshal Li Chi-shen and representatives of
the Chinese Communist Party and may therefore be colored by their
political views. It is needless to say that this Consulate can produce
no evidence of certain allegations derogatory of the Generalissimo and
his part in the present campaign. It is believed, however, that the
report is reasonably accurate except perhaps for certain military phases
of the campaign; it was written without benefit of source material, all
records of this Consulate having been either destroyed or sent to
Kunming when the Japanese threat to Kweilin appeared imminent.
Summary: In their campaign in China this
year, the Japanese had the following objectives: the establishment
of through north–south land communications to Canton and Indochina,
the destruction of Chinese military forces along these lines of
communications, the continued
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maintenance in nominal power of the present
government in Chungking, and the incidental elimination of advance
American air bases. In preparation for the campaign, the already
substantial garrisons were reinforced by units from Manchuria and
the South Seas, espionage schools were established in South China,
and agreement favorable to Russia over Sakhalin was reached, and an
understanding is said to have been obtained from the Generalissimo
who was guaranteed security in the northwest provided he did not
interfere in the Japanese campaign outside his sphere of influence.
The Honan campaign was opened the last week in April and resulted in
the speedy defeat of Chinese forces in that area, although the
Japanese employed only about 20% of their available forces. In the
south, Marshal Li Chi-shen had been making rapid strides in uniting
all dissident elements against the Central Government. The
Generalissimo, alarmed at this threat to his reign, is reported to
have asked the Japanese to destroy the troops of the Ninth War Zone
under Hsueh Yueh, who be [he] believed was in the plot against him.
The campaign in the south opened late in May, and by the end of June
the Japanese had reached the gates of Hengyang. Here from entrenched
positions, they destroyed seriatim the Chinese provincial armies
which the Generalissimo ordered hurled against them. Central
Government units reached the front in only token force. The siege of
Hengyang lasted until August 8, although it is generally agreed that
it could have been taken at any time. Political as well as military
considerations were responsible for the holdup of the Japanese
offensive. The Japanese in conjunction with the Generalissimo are
said to have delivered an ultimatum to Marshal Li and his clique
that unless he dropped his plans for the consolidation of the
opposition against Chungking, the Japanese would destroy his clique
and all of south China. It is believed, however, that Marshal Li
will not be intimidated; whether the Japanese will wish at this
critical period to expend the necessary troops, equipment and
supplies to carry out their threat is problematical.
[Here follows detailed report.]
Ever since the outbreak of hostilities in Lukouchiao over seven years
ago, the Japanese have been hoping against hope that they can finally
force a negotiated peace with the Generalissimo, but however much he
personally may wish for a truce with Japan, the march of events and the
force of public opinion in China is proving too much for him. It seems
probable that Marshal Li’s clique, which has the warm support of the
Federation of Democratic Parties and the potential cooperation of the
Communists and the dissident elements generally, and is far more
representative of Chinese public opinion than is the present government
at Chungking, will soon come out into the open notwithstanding threats
from the Generalissimo and the Japanese alike. If, in consequence, the
present regime in Chungking collapses, the result may not be an
unmitigated evil to China and to the cause of the allied nations.
Respectfully yours,
