Office of the Historian

893.00/2–349: Telegram

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

Nanking, February 3, 1949—2 p. m.
[Received February 3—6:52 a. m.]

302. CCP political agent for Shanghai–Nanking area (named Chang) on February 1 called on President Li and had 2-hour conversation. He stated Mao Tse-tung and his closest associates are puzzled by following happenings: Military gains are suprisingly ahead of timing; Generalissimo’s New Year message and retirement; Li’s vigorous peace offensive; readiness of Kmt and Soviet to sign Sinkiang pact;8 removal Soviet Ambassador to Canton. Chang hinted he fears Russia is playing game to prevent peace. Mao is said ready for negotiated peace but strongly opposed by younger members CCP. Military leaders like Liu Po-chang and Peng Te-huai strongly advocating carrying fighting through to bitter end. Li also sensed from Chang’s comments there is tension between Chen Yi9 and Liu. They are as one however in opposing departure Lin Piao from North China on ground this would open way for Russian control from northeast to that region. Li stressed he was not opposed to CCP as such so much as to Russian expansionism and loss national independence and democratic rights.

Sent Department, repeated Canton 12.

Stuart
  1. For documentation on this subject, see vol. ix, pp. 1037 ff.↩
  2. Communist general.↩