Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume IX

693.0031 Manchuria/7–949: Telegram

The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, July 9, 1949—11 a. m.
[Received July 9—8:36 a. m.]

1150. ReDeptel 202, April 13,⁸⁹ Contels 937, June 4, 1130, June 7.⁹⁰ Express opinion that Manchuria should be viewed in category closer Poland than Yugoslavia and trade policies be formulated accordingly. Presume on that basis selected trade permissible. Opine such limited trade desirable in effort feed fires Titoism⁹¹ which can be considered naturally smouldering. Indications this early are that China, Manchuria dissatisfied with both quality and quantity Soviet deliveries, and aware limitation Sino-Soviet trade, while possibly appreciative as well political implications for them of all knitting closer ties between Manchuria and USSR. While small minority Manchurian Communists favor that development, spirit nationalism undoubtedly remains strong with majority.

Where availability Japan’s [exports] imposes natural limits on exports China, however, would recommend favoring North China over Manchuria, there being more hope of successfully combatting Soviet influence in China proper than in peripheral areas including Manchuria.

Sent Dept 1150, repeated Nanking 819, OffEmb Canton 208, Shanghai 774, Dept pass Tientsin 74.

Clubb

89. Post, p. 1006.
90. No. 1130 not printed.
91. Marshal Josip Broz Tito, head of Yugoslav Communist Party and State, broke with Moscow in June 1948.