Office of the Historian

893.00/3–1849: Telegram

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

Nanking, March 18, 1949—9 a. m.
[Received 9:10 a. m.]

595. Ten-man peace committee has not functioned since Sun Fo resignation by which time it had prepared first draft of peace formula. Reported Act[ing] President will authorize Premier Ho Ying-chin select new committee which now depleted by departure Sun Fo, Wu Tieh-cheng, Chang Chun25 and resignation Chung Tien-hsin.

Peng Chao-hsien (C–C clique26) and Chung Tien-hsin (Sun Fo adherent) resigned as peace delegates for forthcoming peace negotiations, leaving Chang Chih-chung, Wu Chung-hsin and Shao Li-tze. Rumored W. W. Yen, Chang Shih-chao and Chiang Yung (Shanghai peace delegates) are favorites to succeed Huang and Chung.

In telephone conversation from Peiping, Li Tsung-jen emissary Huang Chi-han reportedly informed Li [that] Communists will name peace delegation, set time and designate place for opening of peace negotiations before March 20.

Sent Department 595, repeated Shanghai 272, Canton 169, Peiping 88.

Stuart
  1. Military and Political Affairs Director for Southwest China.↩
  2. Kuomintang group led by two brothers, Chen Li-fu and Chen Kuo-fu.↩