Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

893.9111RR/3–1649: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, March 16, 1949.
[Received March 16—11:25 p. m.]

584. Vernacular press reports Ho Ying-chin in press conference March 15 declared peace talks would commence shortly and new Cabinet would seek humane and reasonable peace. On question foreign aid, Ho asserted any aid, whether from Britain, US, or Russia, would be acceptable to help avert economic crisis. Queried on Cabinet, Ho disclosed that W. W. Yen and Chiang Yung declined to participate, while Chang Shih-chao¹² might consider joining, Young China Party is ready to take part, and Democratic Socialists have not yet decided. He added that Chang Chih-chung¹³ consented to be Minister without Portfolio, Shao Li-tzu¹⁴ is interested in being peace delegate and Wu Chung-hsin¹⁵ is still considering. Cabinet list has not been prepared, Ho said, because Legislative Yuan still working on simplification of Government structure. Ho also revealed there will be changes in Government’s peace delegates.

Sent Department 584, repeated American Embassy Canton unnumbered.

Stuart

12. Three members of unofficial Shanghai peace delegation to Peiping.
13. Proposed head of Government peace delegation.
14. Government representative on Shanghai peace delegation.
15. Secretary General of the Presidents’ Office.