893.00/2–849: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 8—7:17 a. m.]
428. Communist broadcast last night curtly excluding Kan Chieh-hou from Peiping conversations and declaring they have no intention engage peace talks at present (Contel 311, February 8, repeated Department as 42424) leads Consul General conclude real purpose of their acceptance Li’s delegation Shanghai non-partisan leaders is to impress group that Communists are determined on local peace for Shanghai area. Li Tsung-jen, Kan Chieh-hou and Shao Li-tze arrived Shanghai early this morning and are reportedly discussing with Yen advisability mission proceeding Peiping in light new developments.
F. C. Yen told officer Consulate General this morning his cousin W. W. Yen, whom he had seen previous evening, frankly admitted most mission could hope achieve was establishment of channel for future exchange views.
Press this morning reports General Huang Shao-hsiung has arrived Shanghai from Nanking and yesterday called on W. W. Yen and Huang Chi-han, recently returned from Peiping where he is said to have seen Communist leaders in behalf Li Tsung-jen. Central News states Huang Chi-han may be asked accompany Shanghai Delegation to Peiping.
Of interest in connection with these developments and with recent Communist radio emphasis on desirability local peace settlements is fact that latest propaganda leaflets of apparent Communist origin now being circularized in Shanghai concentrate on urgent need for Shanghai leaders to refuse support further fighting, to punish local warmongers and to cooperate in hastening local Shanghai peace.
Sent Nanking 314, repeated Dept, pouched Canton 25.
- Not printed.↩