893.00/15358: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28—9:28 a.m.]
741. At weekly press conference April 26 Government spokesman communicated to correspondents message from Generalissimo, substance [Page 408] of which is as follows: as the German [Central] Government has accepted your petition for the trip to the Communist areas, you will certainly be permitted to go. The date, however, will be decided by the Government according to plan and you will be informed when the arrangements have been completed. You are requested not to press the matter. The date cannot be settled by letters or cables from the Communists as the responsibility and authority lie with the Central Government, (Embassy’s 698, April 21, 6 p.m.26)
Letters and cables refer to telegram welcoming the correspondents received from Yenan leaders, to telegram sent by correspondents through Military Affairs Commission [to] Mao Tse-tung asking him to guarantee full freedom of movement and investigation during trip in Communist areas and to letter [from] local Communist representative to correspondents promising such freedom. Spokesman had previously said Government desired to obtain such guarantee from Communists before permitting correspondents to leave.
Lin Pai-hsu, chairman Yenan Border Government, reportedly has not left Yenan. Correspondents are not permitted to send despatches on Communist problem “until they arrive at Yenan”.
- Not printed.↩