893.00/4–1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 19—7:17 a. m.]
792. Acting President has sent Embassy message re his future plans in face of unacceptable Commie peace terms. President Li will stay Nanking as long as possible and then will go Canton. He expressed hope that I would go with him at that time. (See Deptel 447, April 11.) Li said while he recognized French Ambassador was Dean of Corps he was addressing informal invitation to me first because he felt sure others would follow US lead. In his message to me Li used arguments ranging from personal considerations for my comfort and welfare to official responsibilities toward his Government. I intend to send oral reply that I do not make these decisions myself; that my instructions [Page 681] since move of Government to Canton early February have not been altered, that I will report his suggestion to my Government and that I have most sympathetic understanding of his problem.
Sent Dept; repeated AmEmbassy Canton 266, Shanghai 394.