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

893.00/1–849: Telegram

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

Washington, January 12, 1949—7 p. m.

43. Urtel 61 Jan. 8. Pls deliver Chi FonMin following aide-mémoire as US Govt reply to Chinese proposal:

“The United States Government has received and has given careful consideration to the aide-mémoire delivered by the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs to the United States Ambassador at Nanking on January 8, 1949.

It is noted in the aide-mémoire that the Chinese Government is most anxious that the internal situation in China should not in any way become an impediment to the progress of world peace. It is also noted that the Chinese Government took steps immediately following the Japanese surrender to initiate and carry on peace negotiations with the Chinese Communist Party.

It will be recalled that these negotiations in September and October 1945 resulted in agreement⁷² for the convening of a Political Consultative Conference, to be composed of representatives of all political parties as well as non-party Chinese leaders, for the purpose of forming a constitutional government in which all Chinese parties and groups would be represented. It will also be recalled that subsequent to these negotiations clashes between the armed forces of the Chinese Government and of the Chinese Communist Party became increasingly widespread. It was at this juncture in December 1945 that the United States Government, motivated by the same anxiety as that expressed in the Chinese Government’s aide-mémoire under acknowledgment with respect to the danger to world peace from the internal situation in China and desirous of doing everything within its power to assist in bringing peace to China, offered its good offices in the hope that a peaceful settlement of their differences could be achieved by the Chinese themselves along the lines of the agreement reached in September and October. In furtherance of that Chinese agreement and with the consent of the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party, General Marshall, shortly after his arrival in China on December 21, exerted his good offices in assisting the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party to reach an agreement for a cessation of hostilities⁷³ with the hope that discussions by the Chinese of their differences could be conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

Following the convening of the Political Consultative Conference and its approval of resolutions providing for the settlement of political differences and the establishment of a constitutional government to include all parties and groups in China, General Marshall again exerted his good offices in connection with the agreement reached for the reorganization of all Chinese armed forces and their amalgamation into a national army responsible to a civilian government.⁷⁴

The negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party subsequently broke down and the various agreements were not implemented. The United States Government, therefore, after having made every effort to assist the Chinese in bringing peace to China through implementation of the fundamental political agreements arising out of the Chinese Government’s negotiations with the Chinese Communist Party immediately after the Japanese surrender, considered that it had no alternative to withdrawal from its position as an intermediary.

In the light of the foregoing, it is not believed that any useful purpose would be served by the United States Government’s attempting, in accordance with the Chinese Government’s suggestion, to act as an intermediary in the present situation.”

In handing aide-mémoire to FonMin you should confine your answers to any queries he puts to you to reiteration of pertinent part of Pres’s message to Congress Feb 18⁷⁵ and SecState’s statement to House Forn Affairs Committee Feb 20.⁷⁶ Pres said it is and has been clear only ChiGovt itself can undertake vital measures necessary provide framework within which efforts toward peace and true economic recovery may be effective. SecState said it should be recognized for main part solution China’s problems largely one for Chinese themselves. You should at the same time emphasize to FonMin manner in which United States Govt has been at pains over the years to maintain close and friendly relations with Govt of Repub of China and extent to which people of US have always manifested a sympathetic interest and genuine friendship for people of China.

Dept has been in touch with Brit and French Govts through their Embs here but has made and will make no approach to USSR. Accordingly you should avoid discussion with your Russian colleague. Brit Emb Nanking being instructed by Brit Govt to decline Chinese proposal and indications are that French Govt will take similar action. Brit Amb being instructed to deliver Brit aide-mémoire as soon as he learns that you have recd your instructions.

Lovett

72. For summary, see United States Relations With China, p. 577.
73. January 10, 1946; Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. ix, p. 125.
74. February 25, 1946; ibid., p. 295.
75. On proposed aid to China; Department of State Bulletin, February 29, 1948, p. 268.
76. On China aid, delivered in executive session; United States Relations With China, p. 380.