893.00/4–1349: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—5:58 a. m.]
1180. Local English-language press 12th carried AP despatch datelined Hong Kong 11 (possibly not yet seen by Department), reporting statement that day by Lung Yun5 to press conference calling on Li Tsung-jen to accept Mao’s eight-point peace terms.
Lung is quoted as saying no shame involved in surrender and advising Li against accepting advice from “behind the scenes” manipulators, warning Li that, in event Nationalist Government attempts hold Yunnan, he, Lung, would “join with the people to overthrow the forces of reaction”. He, Lung, said he would prefer Communists in power in Yunnan to present regime.
Lung further quoted as asserting that Communists and “democratic elements” are fighting for peace, elimination of oppression, imperialism and feudalism, that Communists are following Sun Yat-sen’s principles, and that opposing them is Chiang Kai-shek who wants “perpetuate himself in power and continue to suppress the people”, but whose prospects for success are nil. Lung accused Chiang of attempting run peace negotiations from Chikow. According to article, “Lung turned down Li’s offer of a responsible position in the Yunnan government, saying he was afraid of Chiang Kai-shek’s agents in Yunnan”.
“Questioned about the possibility of China’s joining in any Pacific pact comparable to the Atlantic Pact, Lung said China would stand alone rather than join the Western Allies.”
Sent Department 1180, repeated Nanking 676, Canton 259, Kunming 21, via pouch to Hong Kong.
- Governor of Yunnan, 1927–45.↩