CHINESE COMMUNIST DISCUSSION OF LAND REFORMS AND RELATED SUBJECTSY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R003100380005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: August 23, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

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DATE DISTR. 23 August 1949
NO, OF PAGES 4
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SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
Result of Discussion on Neat and Interest kkeduotion Outlines Proclaimed in
Central Chi-na_ and O33t1inn- ~P $4 3a_____~
people's Armed korces.
I. j~h land reform work should be carried out in the two areas at resent.
A. 'The main reason is the lack of preparatory work. In Central China we
are struggling for a swift victory in order to enforce the reduction of
rent and interest and develop the living of farmers.
In South China we center our efforts on the opposition to conscription
and requisitions,
B. There is some difference in the outlines of rent and interest proclaim ad
in these two areas.
Generally spoaking, "land reform" has been enforced in Central China,
"Land reform" is changed into rent and interest reduction in adaptation
to a new environneijt.
In South China, land reform is being enforced in districts separately.
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CLASSIFICATiONCp1jy j
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
REPORT
CD NO,
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COUNTRY China
SUBJECT Chinese Communist L'iscussiori of
Land Reforms and Related Subjects
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF INFO.
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION
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Il y Features of
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Advantages:
a. Possession of powerful and strong bases.
b. Possession of bulk forces - armies under LIU, TIOG, aVEN Keng.
c. Better equipment of ot:dre.
CLASSIFICATION
Date; 2
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2. Disadvantages:
a. Owing to quick development and enlargement, cadre is lacking.
(These are diffioultieas anoountered in victories,
b. Farmers have lagged behind, and the influence of landlords in
southern and western Ronan is great.
c. Lcuite a number of withdrawals took place at various places in
Central China, and the farmers doubt that liberation will last
long, and therefore are hesitant in their attitude toward land
reform.
d. The strength of the enemy in Central China is great, no that we
have to strengthen ou.rselvkts and advance stop by steep.
1. From our point of view:
a. Bigger bases have not been esiablished in Guerrilla districts,
b. The bulk of forces has still rot been eastabi.ished and we are too
far away from the Central.
c. Owing to quick development and enlargement of areas, cadre is
lacking..
2. From an objective point of view:
a. South China is the last base of the United States nand CHIANG,
and the pressure is great.
b. T. V. SOO.NG resists us by utilizing armed landlords and the
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anciLlNG Fing--ch ua n af' t;% t
politics and conservative power of the people of South China is
stronger than in Central China (uoh as clan feuds in rural areas).
d. South Chins is near the sea, and is closely connected with Britain
and the United States in politi a end economics. There is a
large number of overseas ChineEJ, and industry and commerce show
development. Its advantages to revolutions are that the people's
cognition is strong and the cul;ural level is high. Its
disadvantages lie in the tradition of compradores and reliance on
foreigners, and and in the ease wit, which the imperialists can aid
the counter-revolution.
111. Comparison in outlines.
1. "Twenty-five percent rent reduction' is carried out in Central China,
but in South China,, apart from suci reduction, another 25 percent is
reduced; South China is better in comparison.
2. By-products.
3. in Chiuchaau (Ch?aochou-) and :;watori the "landlord sharos 60 percent
and the tenant farmer 40 percent.'
each farmer in Chiuchau aa.a care ow consumes 12 piouls of
grain annually (l0 piculs of graiai for food, and 2 piculs for
clothing).
It is more reasonable for the tona.at farmers to possess all the
by-products.
B. Problem concerning returning of tenanvy.
C. i'roblem concerning loans.
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CONF~
CENTRAL INTELLIC,ENCE AGENCY
1. Contra) China:
a. In the past all old debts were repaid at a monthly interest of
15 percent.
b. Thct farmers settled their own debts.
c. In the future the creditors and debtors will fix the interest
freely, and the Goverrmment will not restrict the rate of
irr;arest, so as to enable the farmers to solicit loans to meet
theit urgent needs.
2. South Ciina :
Usurer in all forms is prohibited, and the rate of interest is
fixed not to exceed 30 percent per annum.
in comparisca, we consider the rules fixed in Central China the more
reasonable. The reasons are: (I) it is desirable to repay all old
debts at a monthly interest of 15 percent; (2) the farmers should fix
the loans freely, in order that they may obtain loans to meet their
urgent needs (3) the interest of 30 percent per annum is usury., (In
pre-war time--, the highest monthly interest in the region of J ;ui Yuen
District was 5 to 10 percent.) This seems to be too low, in view of the
present inflation, and people of means are not willing to lend money.
0. Relating to rights of farmer tenancy.
In Central a,ana agreements concluded by both parties for a longer
period (say five years) are encouraged.
In South China now agreements are concluded for a period of at least
three years.
In general, if the period is longer, the tenant farmers may develop
production with as easy heart. Moreover, exploitation by landlords may
be decreased. For instance, in Mui Yuen District the farmers have to
conclude agreements and are exploited. It is a common practice for a
farmer to make a present of ten catties of chicken to the landlord, and
also stand him a feast. lio has to pay a sum of four dollars to the person
who writes the agreement. Such exploitation may be lessened if the period
is longer.
E. Problem concernimag wages after the reduction of rent and interest.
F. Requisition of Government foodstuffs.
The ratio of requisition is: 5 percent from rich farmers and landlords
whose annual harvest ranges from 30 to 60 piculs; 10 percent from those
whose annual harve-,t is from 61 to 100 piouls; 12 percent from those
whose annual harve.at is from 101 to 150 piouls. Those whose annual
harvest exceeds 151 piculs will be fixed separately. Some comrades
consider this a bit low, but they have no concrete suggestions:,
A reduction of 20 poroent is allowed to thoso who till their own lands,,
and to soldiers and martyrs. If soldiers and martyrs are treated only
as well as those who till their own lands, this appears to offer no
encouragement to farmers to serve the Gover nt., This would impede
future mobilizatioit by the Government.
As regards measurement and weight for Government foodstuffs, the size
bf bushels and units of weight vary at different places. Standard,
weights and measures should be used for requisitions.
G. Special tax. This name sounds bad. The people would think it similar
to that of the K.P.* unless it were used with some restriction.
a:C
D
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H. Ten percent tax to be levied on luxuries.
Some think this is too low, because in Hong Kong the tax levied on
luxuries is: wine, 100 percent; luxuries, 100 percent; tobacco,
60 - 80 percent. However, others think this is more reasonable and
practical because our area is a guerrilla area, and when less tax is
levied the ~uorchants make profits. The merchandise is for transit
only, and not to be consumed locally. They would form a good
impression if lase tax is levied, and might carry on propaganda for
us. Furthermore, a greater number of traveling traders will help
in promoting prosperity.
The formation of oommittees to control the villages and clans should
be stipulated in the outlines promulgated in South China, and they
are not to be controlled by bullies and bad gentry4
This is a special problem relating to land reform in Kwangtuag, and
drafting of outlines should be taken into conaideration,
K. Problem concerning water population,
Some think that the water population is a problem with regard to
Government revenue and loans.
L. Problem concerning people of the salt trade.
L. Principal tenant farmers.
Public lands (see above) are used by rich farmers and landlords to
exploit farmer,. For instance, common farmers cannot rent temple
lands for 3.5 piculs of corn, but these lands are rented by bullies
and gentry for 2 piouls, and are than sublet to other farmers. In
the Fast River regions, the middle and poor farmers cannot afford to ton
tender for public lands.
N. Problem concerning overseas Chinese.
Concrete measures should be mated out to protect overseas remittances,
in taking care of overseas Chinese, no drive for funds in any form
should be carried out. for it would create a bad Impression.
0. Problem concerning industry and commerce.
In the past plans were drawn up to cope with the gold yuan. The times
have now changed, and other measures should be-adopted.
ent, This presumably refers to the Kuomintang Party,
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