Office of the Historian

893.00/6–2845: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, June 28, 1945—7 p.m.
[Received June 29—2 a.m.]

1067. A committee, consisting of the following seven Chinese, called on me on June 27 (ReEmbtel 1038, June 23; repeated to Moscow):

  • Mr. Hu Fu-cheng (Kmt)
  • Dr. Fu Ssu-nien (Independent)
  • Mr. Wang Yun-wu (Indep.)
  • Mr. Leng Yu-chiu (Indep.)
  • Mr. Tso Shun-sheng (Democratic League)
  • Mr. Chang Po-chun (Dem. League)
  • Dr. Huang Yen-pei (Dem. League)

Mr. Wang Yun-wu, who acted as interpreter, said that the committee had been formed to discuss the problem of unifying China, adding that the three Independents had been appointed by the People’s Political Council and the others had volunteered their services. He said that the committee had called on me to seek my assistance and advice. (Sent to Dept, repeated to Moscow.)

I informed the committee that I appreciated the spirit which prompted their call. I said that I would, of course, be happy to assist the committee in any appropriate manner, but I considered that it was essential at this time for the Chinese—Kuomintang, Communists, Democrats and other political parties—to follow their own leadership, make their own decisions and be responsible for their own policies. I said that the Chinese should not ask a foreigner to make their decisions for them. I had every desire to be helpful, but I should refuse to advise any one partisan group; later in the discussions I would make suggestions if invited by all parties to do so.

I suggested that the committee should go over all the proposals and counter proposals made by the Kmt and the Communists during the past 6 months or so, and from them endeavor to evolve a formula which might be acceptable to both sides. I believed that, as American Ambassador, it would not be proper for me to express an opinion on the merits of the five-point Communist proposal, or the three-point Kuomintang proposal. In reply to an inquiry whether publicity should be given to the deliberations of the committee, I replied that I was in favor of full freedom of the press, provided that no reports should be issued which might give aid or comfort to the enemy.

I said that, when the committee had concluded its deliberations in Chungking, I would be glad to provide a plane to take them to Yenan for discussions with the Communists. I stated that if, when discussions were under way at Yenan, both the Communists and the others wished me to join in the conversations, I would be happy to do so. I [Page 425] urged that all Chinese taking part in the deliberations and discussions should do so, not as members of the Kuomintang, Democratic League, Communist Party, or any other party or group, but as patriotic Chinese who were endeavoring earnestly to bring about a free, united, and democratic China. I said that I would appreciate being kept informed of developments and would designate Mr. Smyth to serve as my liaison officer with the committee. The committee members assured me that they would be very glad to keep me in touch with developments.

Hurley