893.00/15407: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:05 p.m.]
1001. Feng Yu-hsiang90 invited Second Secretary Service and Lieutenant Linebarger of United States Army Headquarters to breakfast June 6 and, after preliminary comment in regard to patriotism of Chinese people, failure of Government to take people into its confidence, recent United States press criticism of China (all of which he said was correct and welcomed by all but a few Chinese), right of United States as friend of China to take vital interest in China’s affairs, he made remarks along lines as follows:
Condition of Chinese armies is such that they cannot fight effectively unless drastic change is brought about. Fault lies primarily with present military leaders who come from military academies and not from the ranks and are, therefore, out of touch with their men, have no sympathy for them and not only know nothing of combat but have no interest in fighting—a rotten system which has given rise to corruption and lazy living by higher ranks while the soldiers starve to death; as long as such officers are in control, lives of recruits will continue to be squandered and the men will continue to hate their officers, not to know what they are fighting for, to starve and desert; for such armies providing guns is no use. There are some good commanders who fight bravely and well but they are passed over by influential younger men and graduates of the new system (examples, Li Tsungjen, Feng Chih-an, Liu Ju-ming) while records of men like Tang En-po speak for themselves. Generalissimo is only man who can bring about needed change but he is ignorant of real conditions and no Chinese can inform him; only United States can exert outside pressure and it is hoped that Ambassador and Stilwell will make strong and frank efforts to “change the heart” of Chiang. End Summary.
Feng gave no indication that he was against Generalissimo’s leadership and it was men around Chiang whom he attacked. Service reports that he delivered his exposition in the most serious manner. He made no mention of forthcoming visit of Vice President or of Kmt90a–Communist relations.