893.00/4–2249: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 22—2:24 a. m.]
811. Government today released text message sent by Li and Ho April 22 to Government peace delegation Peiping for forwarding to Communists. Summary follows:
In our efforts to lay foundation of durable peace we have been guided solely by people’s earnest desire for peace and have considered nothing but basic interests of people. We have compromised, and stood up against ridicule but have spared no pains to seek peace. Our sincerity should be known to entire nation.
However, fundamental spirit of Communist-proposed peace agreement is tantamount to disposal of conquered by conqueror. Even if Government were willing to humiliate self and sign document, it is suspected that narrow-minded attitude and oppressive spirit pervading it would infuriate army and people and goad them into action. In such event, Government would be powerless to guarantee its enforcement.
On reorganization of troops, agreement proposes all Government armed forces should be amalgamated into People’s Liberation Army and hand over to this army all military equipment. This would mean total elimination of National Army. Politically, although Government would be allowed to administer affairs of state pending establishment of a coalition government it could do so only at beck and call of Communist Military Headquarters. Regarding PCC, Government could only participate insofar as Communists found its implementation of proposed peace agreement “satisfactory” and its participation in coalition government would also be dependent upon Communists’ recommendation.
Above are only few instances. Entire so-called peace agreement is nothing more than Government acquiescence in Communist conquest of China. If Communist troops and civilian personnel continue to penetrate Government territory, resistance by National Army and people will be inevitable. Bloodshed and fighting will take place in every city and village. Suffering of people will be immeasurably deepened and loss to nation increased. If we truly recognize peace as being earnest desire of all people and are equally sincere in our efforts to seek it, we must give up all ideas of hostility and retaliation and find reasonable and effective means to stop civil strife. Government, therefore, hopes Communists, out of respect to people’s interests, will change motivating spirit of agreement and reconsider its contents. In order create atmosphere favorable to progress of peace talks, it is [Page 264] sincere desire of Government for early conclusion of temporary truce agreement. Your reply awaited.
Sent Department, repeated Shanghai 407, OffEmb Canton 274.