893.00/1–1647: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 17—4 a.m.]
78. There is quoted below the pertinent part of a telegram sent today to General Marshall:20
“Dr. Stuart saw the Generalissimo last night, 15 January. The Generalissimo stated that he had been meeting for several days with Government leaders to determine means of reopening negotiations. He gave Dr. Stuart a paper listing four agreements reached as a result of these consultations. The points listed were as follows:
- 1.
- Government desires to send a delegation to Yenan or invite the Communist Party to send one to Nanking to continue discussions, or it proposes a round-table conference of all parties.
- 2.
- Government and Communist Party should both issue at once a cease-fire order and confer together as to its effective implementation.
- 3.
- Government desires to resume discussion of practical plans for the reorganization of the army and the restoration of communications based on the principles of the former three-man committee.
- 4.
- In regard to the political control of disputed areas Government desires to come at once to an agreement with the Communist Party for a just and reasonable solution.
Generalissimo asked Dr. Stuart to contact Mr. Wang Ping-nan21 to determine (on behalf of the Generalissimo) if the Communists would invite a Government peace delegation to Yenan to discuss matters leading to peace and unity. He specifically asked Dr. Stuart not to disclose the four points listed above. He instructed Dr. Stuart that if Mr. Wang asked who would represent the Government he should reply that General Chang Chih-chung, governor of Sinkiang, was the tentative selection. Also, if Mr. Wang asked what terms the Government attached to peace discussions, the Generalissimo wished Dr. Stuart to state that the Government demanded no conditions. Government delegate would be completely free to discuss all aspects of outstanding issues. Generalissimo hoped that through a general discussion, unfettered by terms or conditions, settlement of issues could be reached in the spirit of the PCC agreement.22
Dr. Stuart saw Mr. Wang Ping-nan today, January 16, and transmitted the Generalissimo’s query. Mr. Wang asked all the questions anticipated by the Generalissimo and Dr. Stuart made replies in accordance [Page 17] with Generalissimo’s wishes. Dr. Stuart took pains to point out that he was merely acting as a transmitting medium and not as a direct participant.”