893.00/15118: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—3:50 p.m.]
1709. Following are excerpts from General Chiang Kai-shek’s instructions to CEC September 13 regarding Communist problem, as reported by Central News Agency:
“First of all, we should clearly recognize that the Chinese Communist problem is a purely political problem and should be solved by political means.
If you share my view, we should maintain the policy of leniency and forbearance which we have consistently pursued in dealing with our domestic affairs with the expectation that the Chinese Communist Party will be moved by our sincerity and magnanimity, no matter in what ways they may slander us, or in what manner they may try to create troubles.
In spite of provocations we should abide by the manifesto of the Tenth Plenary Session: ‘In the case of those who sincerely believe in the Three People’s Principles, obey laws and orders, do not hinder prosecution of the war, do not attempt to upset social order, and do not seize our national territory in defiance of government decrees, the Central Government would overlook their past record either in thought or in deed, and should respect their opportunity, be they as individuals or as political groups, to serve the country.’
We should make it clear that the Central Government does not have any particular demand to make on the Chinese Communist Party but hopes that it will abandon its policy of forcefully occupying our national territory and give up its past tactics of assaulting national government troops in various sectors; thus obstructing the prosecution of the war.
[Page 338]We also hope that the Chinese Communist Party will redeem its pledge made in its declaration of 193745 and fulfill the four promises solemnly announced in that document.”