893.00/11–1344: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:55 p.m.]
1826. General Hurley, accompanied by Lin Tsu-han, flew to Yenan by United States Army plane November 7th, held conferences lasting 2 days with Communist leaders and returned 10th accompanied by Chou En-lai. Evening prior his departure Hurley told me he had received Generalissimo’s “permission” to go to Yenan and talk with Mao Tze-tung and that he would next morning advise me fully, but neither before departure nor since has he volunteered any further information.
According to source which should be entirely reliable and informed, he presented to Mao on behalf of Generalissimo (who had carefully briefed him) an offer of legalization of all parties and participation by Communists in Government posts and Supreme National Defense Council. Mao accepted offer in principle as constituting part of Communist desires, countered with outline of those desires and Hurley joined with him in drawing up a document which they both signed and which embodied not only Generalissimo’s offer but also extensive Communist desiderata, including bill of rights and coalition government. Mao refused to accept invitation to come to Chungking at this time.
After arrival Chungking, Chou En-lai told reliable foreign informant that he was here for purpose of escorting to Yenan PPC investigation party (ReEmbs 1800, November 8, 1944) and did not appear optimistic over developments. Wang Shih-chieh has informed us that it is too early to be optimistic over prospects of settlement.
Loss of Kweilin and Almo [also?] Liuchow which Japs now claim may impel Chiang Kai-shek to seek more realistic compromise with Communists than heretofore; but general opinion of those who have spoken to us is that most that can be said for situation as of today is that door to reconciliations is not yet wholly closed, although it is not to be expected that Chiang or Kmt diehards will accept far reaching [Page 691] terms of document above-mentioned which among other things would actually depose the Kuomintang as the governing party of China.