893.00/2–749: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 7—8:26 a. m.]
414. Following are latest developments re unofficial peace delegation composed non-partisan Shanghai leaders as reported local press 5th, 6th, 7th—delegation has been expanded by one member. K. P. Chen and Leng Yu-chiu have withdrawn from delegation for “personal” reasons and have been replaced by P. P. Hou, northern industrialist, Henry Ling, President University Shanghai, and Y. H. Ou, President Great China University. Mission to depart for Peiping “within day or two”13 upon return from Nanking [of] Kan Chien-hou, [Page 112] personal representative Li Tsung-jen with final instructions for delegation. Latest report is that Chang Chih-chung will arrive Shanghai from Lanchow to join in and Shao Li-tze who will accompany delegation to Peiping as Li’s “private representatives” serving delegation in “reference” capacity.
Arrangements completed with Communists for reception of delegation whereby press will be excluded and secrecy will attend all conversations. Kan emphasizing that delegation is unofficial in character “to knock at door of peace”, although Govt has no objection Communists’ negotiating peace terms with them. Delegation will seek Communist agreement on time, place for peace talks and cessation military activities before and during negotiations. Kan reportedly stated he believed Communists’ demand for arrest Nationalist “war criminals” being exploited only for “publicity and propaganda”.
Sent Nanking 302, repeated Department 414, via pouch to Canton 9.