893.00/5–3047: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 30—4:15 a.m.]
1182. People’s Political Council May 26 by a large majority passed a resolution inviting Chinese Communist representatives to come to [Page 153] Nanking for discussions on ways and means of bringing about the termination of civil war. Resolution reads as follows:
“In view of the fact that peace is the unanimous desire of all the Chinese people, and of the delegates to the People’s Political Council who have decided to do their utmost to solve the present national crisis,
We have therefore resolved to ask the delegates of the Chinese Communists to attend the PPC meeting to discuss national affairs.”
It has been broadcast on all Government radios.
This resolution points up one phase in the growing agitation, particularly among left wing and intellectual circles, for a negotiated peace. First aspect of this movement is that many, perhaps even most, of those involved in the agitation are sincere in their professed belief that the first essential step to solution of any of China’s multitudinous problems is peace. It is perhaps unfortunate that none of the groups or leaders involved have so far brought forth any constructive suggestions as to how this commendable objective is to be accomplished, nor has there been any suggestion that the Communists in their present and relatively favorable position may not be amenable to compromise.
The second aspect is that the Government, since the agitation has arisen and presumably having a fairly realistic understanding of what the Communists could or could not be expected to do, may not be altogether displeased that the peace movement has developed as it has. If the words of prominent Government spokesmen can be taken at their face value, they must believe that any overtures of peace negotiations would be either ignored or repulsed. Hence it is not unreasonable to assume the probability that the PPC resolution combined with similar agitation in the Legislative Yuan will in the predictable future be followed by a formal Government offer to the Communists for negotiations.