893.00/2–1649: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:43 p. m.]
405. Conversation between Embassy officer and Wu Yu-hou, Secretary Nanking peace delegation, confirms opinion other observers here that mission obtained no important commitment from Communists. Wu specifically denied UP story that Communists promised to initiate peace talks with Government within month and not attack Yangtze defenses before or during talks. He said Communists merely cited fact they had not crossed Yangtze as evidence their sincere desire for peace. Later in discussion, in response to query as to when peace talks might be held, Communists replied not until complete liberation of Peiping which would take about a month. UP story apparently based on these two unrelated statements.
[Page 135]Delegation composed principally of national political university professors represented two small local organizations of which they themselves are leading members. They were obviously well treated by Communists and returned convinced of Communists’ sincere desire for peace negotiations. Our impression after conversation with Wu was that delegation had done most of the talking while Communists replied noncommittally and merely promised pass views of delegation on to higher authorities. Perusal of conflicting press statements re delegation (see Embtels 383, February 13 and 404, February 1648) also bears out conclusion that they failed to get any commitment of real value from Communists. Fact silence of Chiu Chih-chung, leader of delegation, in contrast to volubility of Wu, and fact that Chiu did not accompany Wu to Shanghai tend to confirm press reports of split in delegation. (See Shanghai’s 513, February 14 to Department49).
Sent Department 405, repeated Canton 70, Shanghai 189.