Office of the Historian

893.00/4–1849: Telegram

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

Nanking, April 18, 1949—5 p. m.
[Received April 19—5:15 a. m.]

784. General Pai Chung-hsi called on me this morning to report that Acting President, in view of latest Communist demands (see my 782 to Department, April 18, reported Canton 261, Shanghai 384), will propose to Gimo that, peace being impossible, he should either resume full responsibilities of Presidency including military affairs or leave China, turning over all authority, national resources to Li Tsung-jen. By such steps Acting President will seek to force Gimo to end by clear cut decision present state of confusion which latter himself has [brought about?]. Elaboration of this plan calls for suggestion that Gimo go abroad on mission of arousing peoples of Southeast Asia to dangers of Communism as manifested in China. He could continue on such mission to India, Europe and possibly US. Should Gimo act on this suggestion, Acting President intends replacing Wellington Koo16 by Kan Chieh-hou17 in Washington.

Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 263, Shanghai 390.

Stuart
  1. V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador in the United States.↩
  2. Personal adviser to Acting President Li Tsung-jen.↩