893.00/4–549: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 5—6:39 a. m.]
707. Acting President discouraged over prospects peace. When I saw him and his advisor, Kan Chieh-hou, over week end they gave me various reasons why they thought peace talks would fail. They have evidence from captured Communist forces containing orders cross Yangtze before water rises. Furthermore there have been repeated proposals from CCP military commanders that their forces be allowed occupy cities Nanking, Shanghai regardless progress, outcome peace talks. As additional evidence Communist intention pursue military conquest China, Kan cited behavior Soviet Ambassador in following terms. When Acting President visited Canton late February he sent word to Roschin asking him remain behind for conference following diplomatic reception which Li held in southern provisional capital. Roschin replied that it would be difficult for him linger, that they would lack privacy and that in any event there was nothing to be discussed between them. Li sent his advisor second time to Roschin suggesting another time. Soviet Ambassador again [Page 229] demurred and Kan reminded him this was official request from Head of State to Soviet Representative. Interview, when it finally occurred, was entirely unsatisfactory, Ambassador apparently deliberately using up allotted time by talking steadily of discomforts himself and staff in Canton and delays signing Sinkiang pact.87 President finally terminated interview without having been permitted opportunity discuss Sino-Soviet relations. Recently Li Tsung-jen has sent suggestion through Chinese Foreign Office to Soviet Ambassador that, since Acting President and Cabinet are remaining Nanking, Roschin should return here. Suggestion has been repeated but no reply has been received from Roschin to date. (See Cantel 188, April 2, repeated Nanking 174.)
Both Li and Kan interpret this attitude as indication that CCP has intention continue its military activities south of Yangtze with Soviet knowledge and approval.
Both President and Premier have assured me that if Communist forces cross Yangtze during peace talks Nationalist delegation now Peiping will be promptly recalled.
Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 222, Shanghai 333.
- For documentation concerning Sinkiang, see vol. ix, pp. 1037 ff.↩