860F.00/1–1849: Telegram

The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Jacobs) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret

74. Official … of one of Communist Party committees called on Labor Attaché January 17 and asked whether he could have assurances of support of US Govt or at least official encouragement in event organized uprising in near future against Communist-dominated Govt. Was told repeatedly in face of insistent disbelief that neither US Govt nor its representatives interfered in internal affairs any nation.

Approach originally made January 14 by same individual, previously unknown to Labor Attaché, who called on him at Embassy, identified himself, volunteered credentials. Claimed he was disillusioned with CP and wanted to know whether Embassy interested in organized efforts to take over party and give Czechoslovakia more democratic regime. Labor Attaché at that time took position he had been student Czechoslovak affairs many years and interested in anything that might contribute to his better understanding Czechoslovakia. After repeated unsuccessful efforts to elicit indication Embassy encouragement or approval, relaxed into discussion “outlining information Embassy may not have”.

Asserted following: Czechoslovak population completely fed up with excessive Communist regime. Double price system, squeeze on small tradesmen and farmers (to whom Czechoslovak population fundamentally sympathetic) cumulating unrest and creating situation ripe for seizure power. Even CP machinery rife with discontented elements and party forced into large-scale changes of lower rank per [Page 383] sonnel in order assure dependability. In last two months 30 percent of personnel in party secretariats replaced. Party zeal and loyalty diluted by mass influx unsympathetic members. Effective organization of dissident elements within party would have mass support and would provide greater possibility for successful overthrow than futile escapades of individuals without mass links. Base of operations already set up by him in one region where his people supposedly infiltrating by getting elected to positions which will enable them to control regional party machinery and delegates to next CP Congress in May. Results in local organizations excellent but encountering difficulties in factories. Came to Praha to start similar ball rolling here. Was not worried about army because convinced it would be undependable in crisis on ground that “day before elections statistics passed through my hands showing only 22 percent of rank and file and 40 percent of officers pre-February Communists”. Bank and file of army could be partially neutralized and perhaps split by activities of clever organizers. Before leaving again tried indirectly to elicit Embassy attitude but made no direct request for Embassy assistance.

January 17 request for Embassy support on approval kept very general. Unwilling to indicate specifically what was expected and countered non-interference position with allusion to Greece. Clearly disappointed at failure to obtain encouragement said that probably Embassy did not believe it possible to organize opposition and if that was reason would see evidences of activity in his region two weeks hence. Regretted Embassy did not appreciate what US support would mean in insuring large-scale participation Czechoslovak people in “direct action” to overthrow Communists.

Informant young man about 30, intense, coherent, seemed intelligent, gave impression of sincerity. Though he may very well be organizing against present leadership of party in his region Embassy sees no evidence that his optimism about possibilities of successful challenge to regime in near future warrants serious consideration, but calls Dept’s attention to incident as striking example of indications of widespread discontent in Czechoslovakia and stirrings in many areas to organize against regime.

Jacobs