The China White Paper 1949 (XV)

In the US in August 1944, arrangements were made to send General Hurley to China, the goal of his visit would include: 1) to serve as personal representative of the US President to Chiang Kai-shek, 2) to promote harmonious relations between US General Joseph Stilwell and Chiang, and 3) to unify all the military forces in China for the purpose of defeating Japan.1 Hurley arrived Chungking (重慶) in September 1944. He traveled to China via Moscow in order to have a discussion with USSR Foreign Minister Molotov about the situation in China. Among other things Molotov said that his country had been unjustifiably held responsible for many happening took place in China recently, and stressed that his government had no responsibilities for these developments. He also said that 'in China some of whom called themselves communists but were related to Communism in no way at all. It was merely a way of expressing dissatisfaction with their economic condition and they would forget this political inclination when their economic condition improved.'2 Molotov also confirmed the statements made previously that "his government would be glad to see the US taking the lead economically, politically, and militarily in Chinese affairs".3 After arriving at China Hurley thought that in order to unify all the military forces in China for the purpose of defeating Japan, it was important to achieve mediation between the Chinese National Government and the CCP.4 (to be continued)

Notes:
1. United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 71.
2. Ibid., page 72.
3. Ibid., page 72.
4. Ibid., page 73.