The China White Paper 1949(XIV)

Starting from the latter half of 1938, relationship between the KMT and CCP began to deteriorate, in particular after the fall of Hankow (漢口) in October 1938. KMT accused CCP for not allowing the National Government to exercise direct control over Communist armies in the field. Yet up to late 1940, large scale open hostilities were avoided although the Communist military forces continued to expand and infiltrate into regions outside the defense zones.1

In early January 1941, the conflict between KMT and CCP culminated in the "New Fourth Army Incident". In early 1944, the US sent Vice President Henry Wallace to China for the purpose of consolidating China's war effort against Japan. In September 1944, General Hurley as the Personal Representative of the US President visited China for the purpose of promoting the good relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and General Stilwell, an American General appointed to help Chiang to fight the war in China. During this period, more and more Americans believed that neither the KMT nor the CCP were eager to use their army to fight the Japanese.2 Their observation was that the situation in China was deteriorating as noted in the intelligence reports gathered by the Embassy, the Consulates or the Foreign Service officers who had the unique opportunity to travel and contact the Chinese Military authorities and make observations. In essence these reports centered around the following themes:

1. the intention of USSR in the Far East was an aggressive one.
2. the Chinese Communists had a background of subservience to the USSR, but nationalism had played a role in modifying its outlook.
3. the Chinese Communists were challenging the KMT for control of China.
4. the KMT and the National Government were disintegrating.
5. the rivalry between between the KMT and CCP could culminate in a civil war.
6. the Communist would win this war because of the weakness of the National Government.
7. from the view point of the US, it was desirable to encourage the KMT to reform and revitalize itself.3 (to be continued)

Notes:

1. United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 53.

2. Ibid., page 61.
3. Ibid., pages 64-5.