893.00/6–1945: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m.]
From Hurley for Moscow. In reply to latter’s telegram 4875 and repeated to Department. There is no question that relations between the Chinese National Government and the Communists are unsatisfactory, or that there have been recent clashes. That, however, is nothing new. Sporadic encounters between Chinese Communist and Government troops have of course been taking place over a period of years, the most serious this year according to our military authorities having occurred last March. The Generalissimo has assured both Wedemeyer and me that he is using his best efforts to avoid trouble and that strict orders have been given by the National Government to avoid engagements with the Communist forces. (The latter have recently shown considerable movement and when both groups attempt [Page 416] for example to occupy areas vacated by the Japanese, clashes are not unlikely.)
According to our Army Headquarters, this situation is less serious than it was a few months ago, and in his last weekly report (June 16)76 our Military Attaché reported that “The Communist–Central Government situation seemed to continue to be mostly a battle of words with each contestant attempting to place on the other responsibility for clashes”.
Yesterday I had a long talk with the Soviet Ambassador to China on various subjects including the Communist problem. I suggest that it would be better for the well-informed Soviet sources referred to in your telegram to get the truth concerning these matters from the Soviet Ambassador here instead of relying on rumors. There are also rumors afloat here that we do not credit to the effect that John Davies77 is responsible for news items in Moscow papers that appear to be adverse to the Chinese Government. There is unquestionably an effort being made by the enemies of the National Government of China to exaggerate all clashes and to fan disagreements into the proportions of a civil war. This effort on the part of the die-hards is failing. Kind regards.