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

893.00/4–1149: Telegram

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

Nanking, April 11, 1949—10 a. m.
[Received April 11—3:26 a. m.]

743. See Embassy’s Presstel April 11.³ Mao’s reply, April [11?] broadcast Peiping radio, to Acting President’s message on peace negotiations has lessened tension here somewhat. It is interpreted in Chinese official circles as polite, conciliatory and step toward getting formal negotiations back on track following brutal feeler of “ultimatum”. Li Tsung-jen described latter as Chinese merchant’s asking price, which he said he would counter with customer’s usual first offer.

Sent Department; repeated Embassy Canton 239, Shanghai 356.

Stuart

3. Supra.