893.00/14667: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—3:10 a.m.]
95. My 92, March 7, 10 a.m.62 There were released to the press late March 8 excerpts from an address delivered by Chiang Kai-shek [Page 489] to the People’s Political Council on March 6. Referring to two sets of demands presented by the Communists to the Council (but not to the Government nor to himself) General Chiang said: “We are surprised by the contents which lead us to associate them with the terms of the Japanese military served on the National Government and the local garrison forces.” Classifying the demands as military, political and party General Chiang said: “The military demands infer that the Government should not suppress the rebellious troops…65 the political demands infer that outside the jurisdiction of the National Government special areas should be established with their special political structures and…the enforcement of lawful restrictions on public and private illegal activities could be curbed…the demands regarding party infer that the Chinese Communist Party should have special status and special privileges in the People’s Political Council…” Asking whether China could remain a nation if such demands were accepted General Chiang went on to define the Government’s policy as follows: “Militarily, it has been the Government’s inherent policy that the Army should be nationalized…there should be only one and can only be one National Army system…politically, the Government should be democratized…however, the National Political authority is one; there cannot be more than one political authority within one state, otherwise in addition to the National Government, other political authority would be set up like the one demanded by the Communists regarding the ‘democratic regime behind the enemy.’ Such separatist authority cannot be in any way different from the puppet regimes of ‘Manchoukuo’ and Wang Ching Wei.” In reference to Communist demands for cessation of military attacks against their units General Chiang asserted “This nonsensical, misleading and confusing propaganda not only slanders our Government and undermines our sacred mission of resistance, but also insults the pure spirit of our people who are solidly united.” He went on to say that if the Communists “obey orders and stop attacking other army units, our Government would be lenient, let bygones be bygones, and extend them equal treatment. But, should they disobey orders, violate discipline and obstruct the armed resistance…the Government…cannot but suppress them in accordance with law…” Asking that the Delegates entreat Communist leaders “to effect a fundamental change of the attitude and action of the Chinese Communist Party” General Chiang declared “the Government is willing to accept all the decisions of the People’s Political Council made in accordance with public opinion.’
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Peiping.