893.00/10–1146: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—6:45 a.m.]
1631. Following is Minister of Information’s statement made at press conference on October 9:
“The Government is at a loss to understand why the Chinese Communist Party objected to negotiations regarding Communist participation in the National Government and the settlement of military differences in order to achieve a permanent peace, and to ten day truce yesterday. All these measures were demanded by the Communists, yet they were rejected by the Communists themselves when the Government concedes them. The only inference we can draw is that they have adopted an obstructionist policy and refuse to consider any settlement of the present deplorable conditions. The Government’s stand has been enunciated by Dr. T. V. Soong, President of the Executive Yuan, in his statement issued yesterday. We are still hoping that negotiations will be continued and that a peaceful solution will be found.
The Government has decided to convene the National Assembly on November 12, 1946. It has been postponed several times in the past because of circumstances beyond the Government’s control. But it cannot be delayed further without undermining public confidence in the Government’s determination to establish a constitutional regime. Reorganization of the Government is handicapped by the Communists’ refusal to take part in it.”