740.00119 P. W./8–1345: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—8:50 a.m.]
1339. Reference Embassy’s 1335, August 12: Following from Central News, Chungking, is repeated for Department’s information.
“On August 11, President Chiang Kai-shek, in the capacity of Generalissimo of the Chinese National Military Council, telegraphed the following order to General Chu Teh and General Peng Teh-huai, Commander and Deputy Commander respectively of the Communist 18th Group Army,
‘China, the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union are now conferring with each other on the various questions related to Japan’s formal offer to surrender with a view to arriving at a joint decision. I have ordered all our troops to stand by for further instructions from the National Military Council and to hold themselves ready to execute such terms of surrender as the Allies will decide upon. The 18th Group Army and its component units are hereby ordered to remain at their present posts and wait for further directions. Units of the 18th Group Army now operating in the various war zones should obey the orders of the war zone commanders. The Government has made thorough provisions for and decided upon ways of disarming the enemy troops, looking after the war prisoners, dealing with the puppet troops, recovering [Page 517] lost territory, restoring order and Government administration, etc. To maintain the dignity of Government mandates and to abide faithfully by the decisions of the Allies, all our troops are warned hereby never again to take independent action. Instruct all your subordinates accordingly.’ ”