ABSTRACT
The term "China Hand" as used in author's salad days in Peking, Mukden, and Hankow, was preceded by the adjective old—"Old China Hand." The personal experiences of these China Hands in the line of duty raise many different kinds of issues and pose a variety of questions. As opinions among the China Hands varied, however, it would be well to avoid thinking of all as somehow of one mind. The Generalissimo finally acceded in 1944 to American pressure for stationing an American observers group at Yenan, the Communist capital. The group was headed by a China Hand, Colonel David D. Barrett, who was, by experience, understanding, and tact, an ideal choice. In November 1944 Hurley had taken a proposal cleared by Chiang to Yenan calling for military unification under Chiang and, among other things, "the establishment in China of a government of the people, for the people, and by the people."
