793.00/4–2051: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
3098. Re Depcirtel 627, April 11 [13].1 ConGen sources for info requested primarily Amer missionaries other fon observers and anti Commie Chi. Great majority these persons strongly anti-Commie and have relatively little contact with groups most likely to be favorably inclined toward Commie regime. ConGen has little direct contact with pro-Commie sentiment except thru official Commie press. In fol analysis attempt is made to compensate for bias of sources to arrive at as accurate judgment as possible.
1. Party members.
Rigid discipline makes attitude most difficult ascertain as those differing from official view wld not reveal sentiments to outsiders. However, if recent ConGen contact (ConGendesp 1529 April 11)2 alleged confident [dissident?] Chi Commie can be believed there is substantial group educated middle rank members, at least in east Chi region opposed to party leadership particularly pro-Sov fon policy and lack personal freedom. They are contemptuous of Nats, but willing to work with them and US. Party rank and file of peasants with no pre-Commie knowledge of outside world believed strongly indoctrinated and fanatical. Their loyalty assured by grants of power and special privileges. There are no signs disaffection this group, altho there are indications factionalism, strife, based on factors such as regionalism and length service in party.
2. Democratic personages and collaborators.
Favorably inclined toward common achievements in admin, finance, public health, transportation, etc. Consider Commies far superior to [Page 1644] Nats in ability run country for benefit of people. Since Korean war appears to be growing split between pro-US and pro-Sov factions this group and signs that disillusionment growing over extent Sov influence, lack personal freedom and rapidly increasing police terror. Practically no pro-Nat sentiment this group.
3. Non-Commie govt workers business and professional groups.
Approve stability of currency, efficiency, and lack of squeeze among Commies, but strongly dislike lower standard of living, Iron Curtain and decreased personal freedom. Large proportion this group not necessarily pro-Commie in beginning, and most of rest now disillusioned. They increasingly gripped by fear as result Red terror which has invaded cities past 2 months. They tend to be anti-Russian and pro-Amer and recently are even more so, as USSR identified with regime which causes their difficulties and regarded as responsible for entry Chi in Korean war. Many hoping for US victory in Korean war as only escape from intolerable sitn. Altho KMT remembered with bitterness by many, especially in Shanghai and Szechuan, and a few hold Chiang Kai-shek responsible for their present plight, there is some increasing inclination welcome Nats back as lesser two evils.
4. Teachers and students.
Originally most enthusiastic pro-Commie group especially students. Disillusionment set in early among teachers and univ students due to low educational level average Commie, their stubborn insistence on doctrinaire views and growing restrictions on freedom of thought and speech. They, nevertheless, impressed by industry, honesty Commie officials and highly susceptible to nationalistic appeal Commie regime. For a time patriotic fervor engendered by Chi intervention in Korea increased support for regime in univs, but current reign of terror touching many teachers and students offsetting prev trend. Middle school students and younger college students thoroughly under Commie spell and Commie control of youth likely grow stronger longer they remain in power. Nats have no appeal to this category.
5. Urban labor.
Sources for this grp inadequate. Commies have given much attn to factory workers and there are indications their living conditions somewhat improved Nat govt days. However, this minority grp among urban workers and class as a whole adversely affected by unemployment, forced contributions, etc. Believe majority attitude anti-Peiping and therefore tends to be anti-Russian, pro-US and pro-Chi Nat.
6. Peasants.
Sources inadequate since most ConGen informants principal contact with landlords rather than poor peasants farm laborer group. [Page 1645] Current land reform believed engendering more opposition than support because followed by excessive taxes, disruption rural econ system, interference with peasant custom and conscription. Those receiving land more often than not worse off than before and cost of Korean war tends to compel increase rather than decrease of tax pressure. Peasants not easily stirred by international issues, but believe wld tend to favor us because of official anti-Americanism. Evidence enthusiasm for Chi Nats lacking, but majority wld doubtless prefer their return to present sitn.
7. Christian groups.
Increasingly blatant anti-Christian policy of regime has aroused strong antagonism. A few opportunists and misguided minds going along publicly with so-called church reform movement, but great majority undoubtedly solidly opposed to Chi Commies and USSR. They are strongly pro-US and wld prefer Nats to Commies.
8. Troops and officers.
Most highly indoctrinated of all groups except party members are well taken care of and morale men reported good. However, many showing understandable reluctance be sent Korea. Garrison forces So Chi replacing troops sent North gen lower caliber with poorer morale. ConGen has reports which are very difficult evaluate that large proportion former KMT troops wld defect if opportunity arose. However, Commie control over ind soldiers after reorganization extremely effective and much wld depend upon establishment favorable conditions for defection. There must be something to defect to. Alleged dissident Commie source mentioned above claims significant member [number?] old time Commie officers dissatisfied with party leadership and prepared defect under proper conditions.
9. Comment.
Term pro-Chi Nat somewhat misleading. People so described are anti Chi Commies and consider selves worse off now than under Nat govt. They wld welcome any anti-Commie Chi force but many recognize Chi Nats wld not be effective without basic reforms. Chi Commies have already brought fundamental change in old society and restoration Nat govt in previous form impossible. In AFL[?] groups there are many who wld welcome chance adhere to some new polit org which independent of either Nats or Commies.
No specific info available on attitude of people toward UK. US univl recognized as leader of anti Commie struggle and UK probably just coupled with US as another member democratic camp.
No reliable info on attitudes of ethnic minorities.
- See footnote 1, p. 1637.↩
- The reference despatch concerned an alleged defector from the Chinese Communist Party who claimed to belong to a dissident group of party members called the Democratic Revolutionary League of the Chinese Communist Party, organized in Shanghai in August 1950 (793.001/4–1151). Telegrams 2683–2686 from Hong Kong, March 20, 1951, had reported the individual’s approach to the Consulate General and had reported information which he had allegedly received from fellow members of his organization concerning Sino-Soviet strategy in the Far East (793.00/3–2051).↩