893.00/7–2145: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
1205 bis. From Smyth. The People’s Political Council which adjourned July 20 was marked by frank and vigorous discussion and a relatively liberal press censorship on publication of proceedings.
The Council evinced a general determination to bring about unity in China and to inaugurate constitutional government. Although there was heated debate on questions relating to the inauguration of constitutional rule and the convocation of the National Assembly, the Special Committee of Thirty (comprising members of various political factions) appointed to study the matter, was able to agree on four proposals which were adopted as resolutions by a large majority in the Council (Embassy’s 1194, July 20).
In a preamble to its four proposals, the Special Committee said in substance that, although opinions of its members differed on several points, it was their unanimous expectation that constitutional government must be realized as soon as possible, that preparatory work must be expedited, that the National Assembly must be a completely representative body, and that unification of the whole country must be effected.
Several members of the Special Committee have informed officers of the Embassy that invitations will shortly be issued to all parties, including the Communists, to attend a meeting to discuss the question of representation in the National Assembly. They state they believe that Communist delegates will attend and that the meeting will decide on a broadening of representation in the assembly, including, in particular, a considerable increase in Communist representation. One of these men, an independent who went to Yenan recently with PPC Committee of Six, appeared more optimistic than he had been prior to [Page 439] the PPC meeting over the possibility of a rapprochement between the Government and the Communists, particularly, he said, if agreement should be reached between Moscow and Chungking. Although the Government is under no compulsion to act upon resolutions adopted by the PPC, it is generally expected that the four resolutions mentioned above will receive favorable consideration by the Government. The strong desire of the people for unity and for constitutional rule, as evidenced in the recent PPC, will, it is believed, have its influence on the Government. [Smyth]