893.00/1–1049
The Appointed Ambassador in China (Hurley) to Mr. Chou En-lai
Dear General: Thank you for your kind letter of December 8th. I respect both you and Chairman Mao Tse-tung for the efforts you have made on behalf of the Communist Party of China to reach an agreement with the National Government of China.
I am grateful to you for the splendid hospitality extended to me by the Chairman, yourself and others while I was in Yenan.
There is always a possibility of misunderstanding when it is necessary to speak through an interpreter, but I understood that the five points contained in the offer of settlement which Chairman Mao Tse-tung permitted me to transmit to the National Government on behalf of his Party were to form the basis of discussions and not a final “take it or leave it” proposition. It was my understanding that the Communist Party was willing to consider suggestions or amendments by the National Government. Likewise it was my understanding that the three points offered in response to Chairman Mao’s offer were not the final word of the National Government. I therefore regarded these two instruments as steps in the negotiations.
You state that you have now decided to publish the five points offered by the Communist Party of China for the settlement of the controversy. It was my understanding that Chairman Mao Tse-tung’s offer of settlement would not be published while the negotiations were pending.
[Page 733]In your letter you say it is time to publish Chairman Mao Tse-tung’s offer of settlement. I do not agree with this. I do not believe that the negotiations are concluded unless you wish them to be concluded. I know that the National Government is willing to negotiate further. I await your specific reply on this point. You have said that the wording of the five points is largely mine. That is true and I am not willing to give my consent to the publication of them at this time.
I think it would be a great tragedy to China and to her real friends if any step is now taken that will close the door to further discussions. At this critical hour, both the National Government and the Communist Party should redouble their efforts to unite China. I have told this to the National Government and they have shown a desire to continue negotiations. I am convinced that the National Government is now disposed to make every effort to unite China.
With kind regards to you, Chairman Mao Tse-tung and all our friends in Yenan, I am
Sincerely,