Office of the Historian

893.00B/6–2349: Telegram

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

Nanking, June 23, 1949—9 p. m.
[Received June 24—7:52 a. m.]

1358. Although some observers believe election of Chou En-lai as first Vice Chairman standing committee of Preparatory Committee for new PCC implies Chou has strengthened his position vis-à-vis Liu Shao-chi who is not even appointed to standing committee, it seems to us quite reasonable that Chou should receive this position because of his experience at first PCC, his chairmanship of abortive CCP peace delegation and his general background, reputation as negotiator with non-Communists. Liu Shao-chi, on other hand, is qualified more as labor leader, theoretician, party organizer and to some extent as economic trouble shooter.

We are little impressed by parliamentarian façade for new PCC. Obviously entire conference will be controlled by CCP. Profession of CCP kinship for “democratic parties and groups” and non-participation of “reactionary parties and groups” are strongly reminiscent of Soviet idea of “party and non-party bloc”. Communists decided which elements will be represented at PCC. Undoubtedly they allocated chairmanships and committee memberships. They even retain power of veto over delegates to new PCC by provision that although each unit represented may elect its own delegates, these delegates must also [Page 397] be approved by Preparatory Committee. As long as CCP maintains army of three million and has plans for recruitment and training of additional million, we may expect a military dictatorship of most authoritarian character. It is obvious that “democratic parties and groups” and “democratic personages” who have not even mass political following are helpless before such power and cannot be expected to develop or pursue policy different from that laid down by CCP. Certainly in all public statements made by various “democratic personages” now participating in Preparatory Committee there has been no deviation whatsoever from Communist line.

Sent Department 1358, repeated EmbOff Canton 577, Shanghai 749, Peiping 235.

Stuart