Evening star., 1949-08-05
Partial Text of Gen. Wedemeyer's Report on China

ana nave mace more QuuCulG pcdCc
and stability in China. The present
trend points toward gradual dis
integration of the National Govern
ment's control, with the ultimate
possibility of Communist-domi
ed China.
Under the impact of civil strife
and imitation. the Chinese economy
is disintegrating. The most probable
outcome of present trends would be.
not sudden collapse. but continued
and creeping paralysis and conse-
quent decline in the authority and
power of the National Govern
ment. = ..
Public education has been one
of the chief victims of war and
social and economic disruption.
Schoolhouses, textbooks and other
equipment have been destroyed
and the cost of replacing any
considerable portion cannot now
be met. Teachers. like other
public servants, have seen the
purchasing power of months
salary shrink to the market value
of few days rice ration
The overall military position of the
National government has deterlor-
ated in the past several months and
the current military situation favorS
Communist forces. The Generals
simo has never wavered in his con-
tention that he is fighting for ma
tional independence against forces
of an armed rebellion nor has he
been completely convinced that the
Communist problem can be resolved
except by force of arms. Although
the Nationalist Army has prepon-
derance of force, the tactical initia-
tive rests with the Communists
Their hit-and-run tactics, adapted
| to their mission of destruction at
points or in areas of their own Selec-
ton. give them a decided advantage
over NationaliSts, who must defenc
many critical areas including con-
Meeting lines of communication.
The present industrial potential OF
China is inadequate to support mill
tary forces effectively. Chinese
forces under present conditions can
not cope successfully with internal
strife or fulfill China's obligations as
a member of the family of nations
Hence outside aid, in the form OF
munitions lmost urgently ammuni-
tom and technical assistance, is es-
Sential before any plan of operations
can be undetaken with reasonable
prospect of success. Military advice
| is now available to the Nationalist
on a General Staff level through
American military advisory groups
The Generalissimo expressed to me
repeatedly a strong desire to have
this advice and supervision extended
in scope to include field forces, train
ing centers and particularly logistlca
agencies.
Extension of military aid by the
United States to the National gov
ernment might possibly be followed
by similar aid from the Soviet UnioT
to the Chinese Communists, eithel
openly or covertly-the latter course
/
f1icting ideologies might be createc
as in 1885 in Spain. There is alwayI
the possibility that such develop
ments in this area, as in Europe ant
in the Middle East, might precipitat'
a third world war.
CONCLUSIONS.
The peaceful aims of freedom
loving peoples in the world are jeop
ardized today by developments a.
portentous as those leading to Worle
War II.
The Soviet Union and her satellite!
give no evidence of conciliatory OF
cooperative attitude in these de.
velopmentS. The United States j.
compelled, therefore. to initiate real.
istic lines of action in order to CT eate
and maintain bulwarks of freedom
and to protect United States stra.
tegic interests.
The bulk of the Chinese are moi
disposed to communism and they
are not concerned with ideologies
They desire food, shelter and the op.
portunity to live in peace.
The spreading internecine struggle
within China threatens world peace
Repeated American efforts to medi.
ate have proved unavailing. 1t /.
apparent that positive steps are re,
quired to end hostilities immediate.
ly. The most logical approach tt
this very complex and ominou:
situation would be to refer thu
matter to the United Nations.
A China dominated by Chimes
Communists would be inimical t.