893.00/4–1149: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 11—3:13 a. m.]
742. Translation text of Acting President’s telegram April 7 to Mao Tse-tung appearing in official Kmt organ Chung Tang Jih Pao April 9 follows:
“Since I assumed charge of the Government, I have been braving all difficulties in my determination to seek peace and my sincerity must have been fully recognized by your party as well as other democratic leaders.
“Peace talks have now been initiated. The Government delegates have arrived in Peiping in response to your invitation. Peace discussions are also to be conducted on basis of eight conditions which your party has brought up.
“At this juncture, I am fully cognizant of the horrors brought about by the war, the sufferings of our people, and mistakes which have been unavoidable in course of human history. For this reason I am led to a feeling of anxiety over difficulties which may be encountered in course of peace talks.
“Upholding view that I should be the first to suffer from hunger and cold, I now take it upon myself to make a further manifestation of my desire, I am personally prepared to undergo the severest punishment, even to extent of being thrown into cauldron of boiling water for past mistakes which the Government might have committed, and which might constitute an impediment to progress of peace talks such as the questions involving war criminals.
“As to fundamental policies for future of our nation, Government is prepared to carry out fully the immortal teachings of the late Dr. Sun Yat-sen, by cooperating with your party and taking up jointly with all democratic elements the task of building a new China.
“Moreover, at the present moment when the international situation is fraught with such uncertainties, there is a greater call for cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. If both of us will fully uphold this basic principle, all other issues will prove easy of solution.
[Page 237]“I have personally no other wish but that the war will end and be replaced by peace, and that the people will be delivered from their present sufferings. My intentions are open to the closest scrutiny. I hope you will appreciate my well-meant intentions.”
Sent Department, repeated Shanghai and OffEmb Canton unnumbered.