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Memorandum by the Consul at Taipei (Martin) to the Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald)11
Since the recognition of the Communist regime in Peiping by the USSR there has been a very sharp change in the tone of Chinese Nationalist propaganda, which, while not surprising, is still worthy of attention. One thing that has always struck me in reading the Chinese press during the past few years is how often the United States is blamed for the troubles of the world and how little attention has been paid to the Russian shortcomings—this despite continued U.S. aid to China and Russian inspiration for the Chinese Communists. The Chinese Government itself has always shown extreme timidity in accusing Russia or even of mentioning obvious wrongs such as the manner in which Dairen has been handled. This pussy-footing approach by the National Government and the very foggy approach of much of the Nationalist press has meant that the Nationalists have heretofore almost completely neglected the very effective propaganda weapon of identifying one’s opponents with foreign aggressors. The Communists, of course, have exploited this weapon to the limit, and very effectively, too.
But at long last (and undoubtedly much too late) the Nationalists have finally woken up, and lately the semi-official press has been plastered with anti-Soviet articles summarizing Soviet injuries to China and the subservient role of the Chinese Reds. Another instance is the display in a very prominent position on the reviewing stand for the Double Tenth parade yesterday of a gigantic banner carrying the following slogan: “Ta tao Su Lien Ti Kuo Chu I”—Down with Soviet Imperialism! This is a slogan which I expect will become increasingly popular and will furnish an excellent counterpart to the Communists “Down with American Imperialism”. In this connection I think I have detected a more vigorous and patriotic air about the local press attacks on the Chinese Reds than was apparent in the mainland press six months ago. This, I feel, may be attributed to the injection of the “foreign aggression” issue into Nationalist propaganda. It provides a chance to appeal to nationalism and patriotism, far more powerful stimuli than the largely negative slogans, such as “Suppress the Bandits” which have been the mainstay of Nationalist propaganda.
Incidentally, did you notice that the Gimo’s Double Tenth statement was entirely devoted to the anti-Soviet aggression theme? In its recital of recent diplomatic history it resembles a Foreign Office note [Page 552] more than an anniversary speech, which makes me think that undoubtedly Wang Shih-chieh had a hand in drafting it. In view of its style and content I would say this statement was designed primarily for foreign consumption though it does fit in very closely with the present trend of domestic propaganda.
In conclusion I should say that the current Nationalist propaganda line is a far more effective weapon against the Reds than anything they have had so far, but in view of the continued deterioration of the Nationalist military position it has come too late to be of much immediate value. In the long run, however, it should prove to be one of the keys to rallying resistance to Communist rule.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Consul General at Taipei in his despatch No. 73, October 12; received October 24.↩