893.00/3–1049: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—3:56 a. m.]
380. Re Nanking’s 507 to Department March 3[2]. Offer observations that seem merited re Yen–Shao93 attitude.
Re 1. Mao Tse-tung and Chou En-lai, being disciplined leaders who have contributed in large measure to present political integration and cohesion Chinese Communist movement, would probably neither have discussions nor make commitments Kmt peace delegation without reporting fully to Communist colleagues to whom Mao–Chou much closer than to persons in opposing camp.
Re proposed composition future Chinese Government, believe on basis Communist words and acts to date that by Kmt they mean KmtRC, not present Nanking leaders. Note insignificant role presently played by Li Chi-shen et al., reduced to occasional statements support Mao’s eight points while cooling heels waiting convocation PPC [PPCC?94] or similar political conference.
As noted Contel 339, March 2, indications are Communists now wish military breathing spell, a temporary cease-fire, to enable them consolidate tremendous and unwieldy gains. Initiative remains theirs but action not taken for other than own benefit.
[Page 173]Re 2, note peace settlement on basis Mao’s eight points or effected piecemeal on Peiping pattern, two alternatives offered currently by Communists, is in fact surrender and would not result in any coalition incorporating balance power.
Believe Communists intend next [to] form nation-wide political control Chinese by Communists, that they are now unready shoulder political-economic tasks involved extending rule south Yangtze, that they prefer wait until they have adequate strength rather than endanger revolution by premature advance if waiting feasible. Military and political debility Nationalists’ camp makes delay feasible. While believing in possibility coalition, I believe further that form coalition envisaged by Yen, Li Tsung-jen and Nanking leaders differs substantially from that conceived by Communists, Communists may plan forming North China interim coalition government including some KmtRC elements who would be captives of Communist machine, control which government would by plan eventually be extended all China, and coalition which possibly may be forced upon them by circumstance, Contel 36395 would be some time in evolving and would logically be combine from which extremist elements both right and left had been eliminated.
Repeated Nanking, Canton, Shanghai.