893.00/10–2945: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:55 p.m.]
1885. Central News press release Oct. 27, concerning Govt. statement on Govt.–Communist question, was transmitted in our 1884, Oct. 29.
On morning Oct. 27, Communist representative Wang Ping-nan called at Embassy. Contrary to his optimism Oct 15 (Embtel 1794 Oct 15), he seemed very pessimistic over possibility settlement Govt–Communist differences.
He remarked Central Govt had signed joint statement Oct 17 [11?], indicating willingness for political solution of basic internal problems of China; now he said Govt was violating that agreement by ordering military attacks on Communist troops in many places, including attacks on Communist forces withdrawing from certain areas under terms of joint statement.
He said recent conversations between Govt. and Communist negotiators (Embtel 1794) had made no progress. He expressed opinion Govt. apparently intended to play for time while securing military control of areas liberated by Communists. He said Communist policy is not to take aggressive action; in face of Govt. encroachment they will withdraw at first but if Govt. persists they will fight back.
Questioned whether in event present conversations make no progress Communists would send delegates to proposed Political Consultative Council, he was non-committal.
Referring to National Assembly, he said recent breakdown of members showed that after deleting members who had died since elections (held before Chinese-Japanese war) and members who were traitors during war more than 70% of Assembly consist of Govt. officials. He commented Generalissimo frequently announced he would turn Govt. over to people but constitution of Assembly shows Generalissimo will merely turn it over to Govt. officials.
He expressed Communist resentment over what he termed American intervention in landing troops at many points in North China to hold them pending arrival of Govt. troops, large elements of which have been flown north by American Air Force. He expressed puzzlement over recent press statements by Vincent33 and General Wedemeyer;34 [Page 482] he said Vincent statement35 indicated that stay of American Marines in North China would be temporary and that they would leave North China as soon as they can be relieved by Govt. troops; Wedemeyer’s statement36 he felt indicated that large force of 50,000 American Marines would remain in North China for some time.
Dr. K. C. Wu, Minister [of] Information who ordinarily keeps us informed of Govt.’s views on negotiations, has been ill yesterday and today; we hope to obtain his views shortly for telegraphic report to Dept.
- John Carter Vincent, Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs.↩
- Lt. Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer, U. S. A., Commanding General, U. S. Forces in China Theater and Chief of Staff, China Theater.↩
- Apparently a reference to Mr. Vincent’s address made at the Foreign Policy Association Forum, “Between War and Peace”, in New York, N.Y., on October 20; see Department of State Bulletin, October 21, 1945, p. 644.↩
- Apparently a reference to General Wedemeyer’s War Department press conference of October 22.↩