794A.00/4–1351
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Perkins)
Subject: Interview with Dr. Han Li-wu1
| Participants: | Dr. Han Li-wu |
| Mr. Rusk, FE | |
| Mr. Perkins, CA |
Dr. Han Li-wu called by appointment today on Mr. Rusk and, in response to the latter’s questions, said: the attitude of the Formosan populace toward the national governmental establishment, particularly the military, had ameliorated considerably. For example, the military forces expect to evacuate this spring the last of the school buildings they have occupied. Local elections should be completed this year and they have been well conducted, with the exception of Taipei city where election conditions had been bad. The food situation on Formosa was good. Formosan rice production was expected to go up to nearly 1,500,000 tons this year, which would represent the best crop since 1939. Dr. Han said that, although there were continuing complaints from the natives, he himself had investigated and found that the general wellbeing of the local population was as good as it had been in 1944–45.
Mr. Rusk asked about the situation of the “third force” and the [Page 1629] revitalization of the National Government: how could the many political fragments be formed into an entity? Dr. Han said that this was indeed a difficult question but indicated his belief that Chiang Kai-shek was the only person who was solid enough to form a nucleus for the anti-Communist force. He mentioned the possibility of younger men coming into the force, but it was not clear from his remarks how the amalgam could be constituted. He said that mass executions on the mainland had been planned as long ago as last June but were not carried out because of Communist uncertainty about their effect at that time. The Korean war had made this policy opportune; Dr. Han said that the executions would undoubtedly hamper guerrilla operations.
Dr. Han spoke of the widespread Russian influence on the Communist regime, which was exercised through the international element in the Party and through the use of commissars.
Mr. Rusk asked Dr. Han if he had any questions himself to put. Dr. Han said that he wished to mention:
- 1.
- British attitudes. He said that his visit to England had led him to believe that the British attitude in regard to Communist China might be subject to change. He said that the Lord Chancellor2 had told him that, if difficulties with the Communists continued, the British Government might have to recast its policy toward the Peiping regime.
- 2.
- Dr. Han said he wished to speak of the need for aid to Formosa in the future.
Dr. Han did not elaborate on these points as Mr. Rusk had a meeting with the Ambassadors. Mr. Rusk said that he wished, however, to see Dr. Han again before his departure from the U.S.