711.93/1–3147: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 31—7:28 a.m.]
174. On January 30 I received a communication from Wu Tingchang, director of the civil department of the National Government, with which he enclosed a statement to be issued by the Chinese Government in connection with the American decision, to terminate its connection with the Committee of Three and with the Executive Headquarters in Peiping. That statement, which has been published in the press of 31 January, is as follows: [Page 712]
“President Chiang Kai-shek received from Dr. John Leighton Stuart yesterday a notification to the effect that the United States Government has decided to terminate its connection with the Committee of Three and with the Executive Headquarters in Peiping. For the past 3 months, our government has made every effort to bring about a cessation of hostilities and a resumption of peace talks in the hope that the Committee of Three and the Executive Headquarters will not be compelled to relinquish the task undertaken by them. Unfortunately, all proposals made by our Government have been rendered fruitless because of the intransigence of the Chinese Communists. It is therefore a cause of unlimited regret to our Govt that it is unable to make a mediation instrument, in which a third party has participated, continue to function. Our Government, however, wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to General Marshall and the American personnel of the Executive Headquarters for the effort they have made and the hardships they have gone through during the past year.”
There has as yet been no press reaction to the American announcement. Such comment as may appear will be sent to the Department when received.
When I advised the Gmo18 of the American decision, he gave every indication of being pleased with it, mainly I gather, because it affords an opportunity of depriving the Communists of the very useful and extensive Headquarters communications facilities. Wang Ping-nan showed no reaction beyond stating that he would immediately transmit the message to Yenan. Subsequently, he called on an official of the Embassy to inquire whether this decision would also mean the withdrawal of the observer group in Yenan. He was informed that, since the group is attached to Headquarters, it would presumably be recalled. He seemed principally concerned that communications be maintained for a period sufficient to take all Communists back to their own territory.
Preliminary reaction among high-ranking Government army officers has been favorable, according to the Military Attaché. They interpret this decision, taken in conjunction with the most recent Govt statement on negotiations, as terminating conversations and as being an indication that the Govt is prepared now to seek a final solution by force of arms.
- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.↩