U.S. President Harry S. Truman to the Chinese Ambassador ( Koo ) 2
Washington, August 10, 1946
My Dear Mr. Ambassador:
I should appreciate your transmitting by the most expeditious
means available to you the following confidential message from
me to President Chiang Kai-Shek:
“Since I sent General Marshall to you as my special envoy, I have
followed closely the situation in China. It is with deep regret that
I am forced to the conclusion that his efforts have apparently
proved unavailing.
“I am certain that General Marshall, in his discussions with you,
has reflected accurately the overall attitude and policy of the
American Government and of informed American public opinion
as well.
“During recent months the rapidly deteriorating political
situation in China has been a cause of grave concern to the
American people.
While it is the continued hope of the United States that a strong
and democratic China can yet be achieved under your leadership,
I would be less than honest if I did not point out that recent
developments have forced me to the conclusion that the selfish
interests of extremist elements, equally in the Kuomintang as in
the Communist party, are hindering the aspirations of the
Chinese people.
“The Agreements reached by the Political Consultative
Conference on January 31st were greeted in the United States as
a far-sighted step toward the achievement of national unity and
democracy. American disappointment over failure to implement
these agreements by concrete measures is becoming an important
factor in our outlook with regard to China.
“There exists in the United States an increasing body of opinion
which holds that our entire policy toward China must be
reexamined in the light of spreading strife, and especially by
evidence of the increasing tendency to suppress freedom of the
press as well as the expression of liberal views among intellectuals.
The recent assassinations of distinguished Chinese liberals at
Kunming have not gone unnoticed. Regardless of where
responsibility for these cruel murders may lie, the end result has
been to focus American attention on the situation in China, and
there is a growing conviction that an attempt is being made to
settle major social issues by resort to force, military or secret
police, rather than by democratic processes.
“Our faith in the peaceful and democratic aspirations of the
people of China has been shaken by recent events, but not
destroyed. It is still the firm desire of this Government and of
the people of the United States to assist China to achieve lasting
peace and a stable economy under a truly democratic government.
There is a growing feeling, however, that the aspirations of the
Chinese people are being thwarted by militarists and a small
group of political reactionaries, who, failing to comprehend the
liberal trend of the times, are obstructing the advancement of the
general good of the nation. Such a state of affairs is violently
repugnant to the American people.
“Unless convincing proof is shortly forthcoming
that genuine progress is being made toward a
peaceful settlement of China’s internal problems,
it must be expected that American opinion will
not continue in its generous attitude towards your
nation.
It will, furthermore, be necessary for me to redefine and explain
the position of the United States to the American people.
“It is my earnest hope that I may in the near future receive
some encouraging word from you which will facilitate the
accomplishment of our mutually declared objectives.”
Sincerely,
Harry S. Truman
1. Handed to the Chinese Minister (Tan), in the absence of the Ambassador, by the
Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent) on the afternoon of August 10.
2. Text sent to General Marshall in telegram No. 97150, August 11. It was based on a draft “suggestion” in telegram No. 1283, August 10, from General Marshall and Ambassador Stuart.
谷歌翻译:
杜鲁门总统致中国大使( 辜 )2
华盛顿,1946年8月10日
亲爱的大使先生:
我希望你能以最迅速的方式向蒋介石总统转达我的以下机密信息。
自从我把马歇将军作为我的特使派往你方之后,我一直密切关注中国的局势。
我非常遗憾,被迫得出这帚结论,马歇将军的努力显然没有成效。
“我确信,马歇将军在与你的讨论中已经祟钏M全面地理解了美国政府的一般
态度和政策。
“近几个月来,中国政治局势迅速恶化一直是美国人民严重关切的一个原因。虽
然现在还是时候向你道别极端主樽壑l在国民党和共产党一届A都在阻碍中国人
民的愿望。
“政治协商会议1月31日达成的协议在美国迎来,是朝实现民族团结和民主迈出
的远大目标。美国对具体手段失败的失望正在成为我们关于中国的一个重要因素。
在美国,越来越多的人认为意见越来越多知识分子的自由主观点。最近在昆明
发生的对中国杰出自由派的暗杀事件并未被忽视。不管碰撞事件的责任在哪里,
它已成为中国的一大问题秘密警察,而不是民主程序。
“我们对中国人民的和平民主愿望的信仰,最近的事件震动了,但没有被摧毁。
这个政府和美国的援助仍然是坚定的愿望。然而,越来越多的人认为,宣传人民
大众的利益是由军国主慦怍M一小批政治反动派国家。这种事态对美国人民来说
是非常令人厌恶的。
“除非在美国有任何意憛A”他说,“美国的意见不会继续对你的国家抱有慷慨
的态度。它希望我有必要重新定憍M解释美国对美国人民的立场。
“我殷切希望,在不久的将来,我们会收到一些鼓励的话,这将有助于实现我们
共同商定的目标。”
此致
哈里·杜鲁门
Mad World - Gary Jules
An English Phrase: By hook or by crook
By whatever means necessary - be they fair or foul.