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and with the China Daily liewa. Much of the information regarding the Coamunistic nature of the Alliance and the newspaper cane fran Chinese, some of whom were connected with competing newspapers. We ourselves have not read the China Daily ews. Mr. Lattimore states he has read some of the issues and has found nothing Communistic in then, al- though he admits there might have beer. something Communistic in the 2 issues which he has nt read. Mr. Lattimere hes: spent awChina and from his statement and letter ir. Barnes WOOL appear that he is thoroughly familiar with the Various political factions. His conclusion is that Hong's connections, in the light of hia knowledge of the situation, do not necessarily point to pro-Camunism, In matters of the Chinese, Lattimore is somewhat of an expert and bis opinion is entitled to cconsidersble weight. Since we have no direct evidence that Hong is a Communist, ard since the original decision was based on the circumstances of Hong's connections and in view of ‘fr. Lattimore's representations, I am ready to reach the conclusion that possibly we made an error in the case of Mr. Hong; I am, therefore, ready to recom-end that Mr. “’ Hong be rated eligible for retention in his position in the Cffice of War Information, In the case of Dr. Chi, I recommended in my memorandum of May 7, 1943 that he be rated eligible. Mr. Smith did not agree with me. The Commission has not yet acted or the case of Dr. Chi. For the reasons Wu Stated in my memorandum of May 7, 1943, I again recommend that Dr. Chi be rated eligible. Alfred Klein Acting Chief Law Officer CX:FS:0DS September 17, 1943 MR. MOYER: I do not believe I clearly understand Mr, Lattimore's point of view regarding the cases of Chi and Hong. It seems that he is, in effect, suggesting that whatever evidence we may have, short of being positive and direct, tending to show the applicants to be commnistically inclined is entitled to very little weight and that his judgment, based on his personal knowledge of Chi and on Chi's appraisal of Hong, should prevail. However, as pointed out by Mr. Klein, there is no absolute proof that the applicants are Communists and in view of Lattimore's knowledge of the complicated Chinese political situation, gained through years of residence in China, I am also willing to change my previous recameniation for both applicants from ineligibility to eligibility. Farrar Snith