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

893.00/3–2949: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, March 29, 1949.
[Received March 29—9:49 a. m.]

1025. China Daily Tribune March 29 carries Democratic-Socialist Party statement its position on national situation and civil war which includes six main points:

1. Question of validity of constitution should be put aside for time being, with proposals for changes being introduced later.

2. People’s basic freedoms must be guaranteed.

3. There should be number of political parties so that benefits of inter-party criticism can be realized and tradition of peaceful Government changes established.

4. Military forces should be nationalized to eliminate warlordism.

5. Economic Socialism, aimed at equalization of wealth, should be brought about through “enactment of laws in accordance with popular will”.

6. Responsibility for past political maneuvers should not be traced but criminal cases should be prosecuted according to process of law.

Full statement follows air mail.⁶²

Sent Nanking 601, repeated Department 1025, Canton Embassy 217.

Cabot

62. Not printed.