Office of the Historian

893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/1–549: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, January 5, 1949.
[Received January 5—1:25 a. m.]

22. Although at previous meetings of Eighth Plenary Session Shanghai City Council keynote had been Shanghai self-defense, Council members eagerly seized upon Generalissimo’s New Year message “advocating peace” as incentive for sending telegrams to President, to important leaders CCP and to various provincial and municipal authorities appealing for termination hostilities.

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Telegram to President expresses gratification at his message, states that although peace desired by all “it must not impair the integrity of national sovereignty and must not be detrimental to the people’s freedom of life” and hopes that “the gentlemen of the Chinese Communist Party” will out of love for country and respect for compatriots entertain same sincerity as President so peace talks can be opened.

Telegram to CCP leaders addresses them in courteous terms; referring to horrible plight of country with much suffering by all, telegram states that new hope has arisen because of President’s New Year message advocating peace and saying that he is not concerned with own status but will follow consensus of people. Telegram continues, “to bring peace or war to the country and to bring disaster or blessing to the people now rest entirely with you. If you actually aspire to liberate the people, you should first alleviate their sufferings,”

Council appeals on behalf of 6 million Shanghailanders to CCP to terminate hostilities and open sincere peace talks. Divergent views of both sides should be left to judgment of people which will bring fair solution. Telegram continues, “if you turn down the peace offer …29 this country will be thrown into a quagmire of complete hopelessness. Since the people have not done you any wrong, we do not know how you can face them. The people are tired of the civil war and are anxious to enjoy a breathing spell. We hereby advance our humble views and eagerly wait for your reply. [“]

Telegram to provincial and municipal leaders requests them unanimously respond to appeal for cessation hostilities.

Sent Department, repeated to Nanking 18.

Cabot
  1. Omission indicated in the source text.↩