893.00/11–1049: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—5:43 a. m.]
Cantel 1271. We see in recent Chinese Government proposal to French that fugitive Annamese leaders be installed in Indochina north border regions (Cantel 1266, November 9, 11 a. m.48) a second best alternative to original idea of obtaining French assent to entry of Pai Chung-hsi forces into Indochina (Cantel 1220, October 23) which Chinese Government probably felt could never be obtained from Trench without US initiative and strong support.
[Page 583]If basic idea behind these maneuvers is somehow to involve US in international incidents of serious nature (in view White Paper warning to Communists not to violate southeast Asia frontiers49) results of which could benefit Nationalist Government, we feel Nationalists must lay foundations in near future for such development. Basis for thinking in these terms is undeniable hope of Nationalists that third world war (“development of international situation” as expressed by Yen Hsi-shan) will occur in time to force US to pull Chinese Government chestnuts out of fire. Since time is running out on them they may well try assist in development of international situation before Chinese Government is defunct on mainland.
Perhaps we are too Machiavellian but we feel it reasonable to suspect that same men who hope US will soon be at war are quite capable of assisting to that end. Also we feel that men who consider it practically a right to receive additional large scale aid from US and who are thoroughly disappointed in this respect may well seek to force trouble on US. They have no future in Communist China nor do they have a future outside it.