THE SOURCE OF THE RUMORS OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00415R000800030008-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 25, 1948
• Content Type: PREL

llo. 2LA J - - 22-February 1948
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CHINESE PRESS REVIM
The American Consulate-General, Peiping, China
EDITORIAL CO::rmS:
Editorials:
Hsin Ptin Pao (Pro-Kuomintang), Peiping
25 February 1948
THE SOURCE OF THE RUMORS OF PENCE NEGOTIATIONS
There is always a source and 'an objective for any rumor
that is spread. Rumors about peace negotiations are certainly not ex-
ceptional
The several speeches made by Ambassador Stuart may be either
regarded as a refutation of the rumor, or as an objection to a misin-
terpretation of the rumor. But the gist of the matter lies in an in-
vestigation as to why should Ambassador Stuart speak just on these
days, The source of the rumors about peace negotiations will reveal
themselves after we have answered the problem as to why Ambassador
Stuart should speak.
In this connection, the Shanghai Evening Post has made a very
explicit explanation in its editorial "Frank Advice". The said paper
stated: "Stuart's statement may be regarded as interference with
Chinese domestic affairs. This is certainly true to some extent. :hen
,imerica gives her money, paid in by her people in the form of taxes,
to extend aid to China and to enhance the friendly relationship between
China and America, ambassador Stuart is certainly entitled to say some-
thing-then China so far has not presented any concrete measures of.self-
support. . . ."
Chinese high ranking officials stated half-heartedly that such
rumors are not worth our attention, quite disregarding the fact that
these rumors of peace negotiations came from the American UP Ner.s Agency.
If we add the above "footnote" of the American Evening Post to the UP
dispatch, we can readily predict that there is no -.ray of prohibiting
the spread of rumors about peace negotiations of a like nature hereafter.
Some people are of the opinion that rumors about peace, negotiations
constitute either a new turn in Sino-American relationship, or the
beginning of unhappiness. 'e think they are greatly mistaken, Such
rumors only signify a further consolidation of the friendly relationship
between America and China. For, should America have not decided to ex-
tend a loan to China, Ambassador Stuart would not have taken the trouble
to make the statement.
-..hat America has been asked of China is not confined to an in-
sistence that China should pledge that the American aid will not be
wasted. America has her own ideas about China, which are not a secret,
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No.544
but indicate a hope that the European Recovery Plan may apply to China.
In the past, America reiterated once and again that the aid-to-Europe
project differs in nature from the aid-to-China project. But where
lies the difference? It lies in the fact that the aid-to-Europe project
is of a productive nature, while the aid-to-China project is only~of a
relief nature. America has been expecting that conditions in. China
may be improved to provide circumstances where in America may throw in
her productive loans. According to an American estimate, with the gigan-
tic productivity of America employed in a new surrounding in China where
production can be carried on, China will be able to take a new shape with-
in a short period of twelve to fifteen months. If an lapse of several
more years is granted, then there would the greatest chance of frustrat-
ing the spread of Communism.- This constitutes a more fundamental reason
for the rise of rumors about peace negotiations.
It is talus that rumors about peace negotiations actually are not
worth our attention, in view of the fact that all rumors are actually
an exaggeration of a certain "force". If we exaggerate,.we will only
strengthen the function of that certain "force". I,*.this connection,
we may cite the common proverb that "we-will certai*y be able to
achieve our smndnry obo j ectivo should we aspire to achieve t r highest
objective". (Complete translation)
SChieh Jih Pao (Kr.P CC Clique), Peiping
24 February 1948
COii1_,2NTI:C ON SOVIET-A1 RICAN NELiiTIONSHIPS AND THE RUMORS ABOUT
PLACE NEGOTIATIONS IN CHINA
Following the breaking of diplomatic usage by J. Leighton Stuart,
the American Ambassador to China, in issuing a personal message to the
Chinese people, the UP News Agency sent out a dispatch reporting the
alleged Soviet proposal for mediation in the internal strife in China._
Although we'do not quite agree with those over sensitive observers who
regard these two incidents as related it) is an undeniable fact that
the Chinese internal problem is being subjugated to international in-
fluences. Leighton Stuart once said last year: "If America and the
Soviet Union could work together, the Chinese Kuomintang and the Com--
munist.Party would also be able to treat each other well." Shao Li-tsu,
secretary-general of the National People's Political Council, stated
the other day that "peace in China will be realized through negotiations
only when America and the Soviet Union work together. in the mediation
efforts." ,e are of the opinion that such comments are most near to the
--ttUth.-
America and the Soviet Union have never achieved good understanding
and cooperation in the Far East. As was pointed out by Park, the Ameri-
can expert on Far Eastern problems, "as,a result of mutual suspicion
and fear between these two great powers, the water in the "kettle of
China" has been made to boil continuously while thousands. upon thousands
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No, 544
- 3 25 February 1948
of Chinese people are made to suffer. If we want that this kettle
of water is not to boil, then we have to endeavor that the suspicion
and fear between the Soviet Union and America should be removed ear-
lier. But such.a possibility is very small, judging from present
international conditions.
But there is another point we must understand, In view of the
various factors affecting the China problem, mediation in the Chinese
internal dispute by any single power, either America or Soviet Union,
will not be successful, The failure of the American mediation is a
historical lesson. It was due to over-confidence in the mediation
pledges that the Chinese government relaxed its preparations and vigil~uce
and provided the Communists with a chance for rest, re-disposition and
expansion. Therefore even if the alleged Soviet-mediation offer is not
a rumor, we should not give our consent very lightly,; In short, in vier:
of the lack of mutual faith and cooperation between the Soviet Union and
America, any action taken independently either by the former or the lat-
ter would only serve to render more complicated or to further aggravate .91
the present situation in China,
We may imagine that there is no possibility for an improvement Jvi
the relationship between America and the Soviet Union in the near future.
Anyhow, if we cannot think of a way of improving the present critical
situation through our own efforts, no development will be.favorable to
us. In view of her geographical position and her traditional practice of
peace' and moderation, China should have been able to serve as bridge over
the Soviet Union and America. But the situation today does not allow her
to do so. Since the government has placed the -uppression of tre rebel-
lion before everything else, it must show military accomplishments within
a definite length of time. ,.e must use our own force to decide whether
ws should have peace or war and must no longer expect any other power to
mediate for us. (abridged translation)
Editoi.ials Not Translated
One Word of Advice to the Movement for Raising PMMIoney for the Teachers
and Students. - CHING SHIH JIH PAO
Self Reliance and Self Iatrospection - HSIN SHENG PAO
The ay to Stop Rumors :. PEIPIINNG SHIH -PAO
Measures to Overcome the Crisis in i:' nchuria - FEIPI3G JIH PAO
Transfusions of Blood to the Front - KUO 11IN PSIN PAO
The i:ianchurian Peoblem at the Moment, The Conference of America,. England
and France. - M& PEI JIH PAO
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NEWS ITELIS:
rlilitar Netiis :
Ching Shih jih Pao ( KMT CC Clique), Peiping
24 February 1948
L:i .O TSF-TUNG AT is;ICHI DIR;CTTNJ M.ILIT4RY OPERATIONS: BA:.?DITS
ATTE . PT TO ATTACK YL'LI T END YEN. N
(Ninghsia, February 23 Central News Agency) -- It is learned
that the bandits in Noi'th Shensi recently have effected some new troop
deployments with the main bandit forces led by Fe Lung, Peng Teh-huai
and Wang Chen posted in the ;iichi, Syiteh and Chingchien sectors, which
forces together with the abducted pLople'?s soldiers total over 60,000
men in all. Bandit Lao Tse-tung is reportedly staying at a small village
at Ialichi directing military operations. 'heir purpose appears to.be
to launch a further attack on Yulin and to. stage a counter-offensive
against Yenan, The government forces on all routes are now maintaining
a tight defense of their own positions..
(Taiyuan, February 23, Central News Agenpy) -- The district
corps of Linfen day before yesterday launched a mopping up campaign in
the western part of Tumen,i.n the outer per;nenter of Linfen, and fought
furiously for one hour with the bandits infesting the area. The bandits
were finally routed and flew in a western direction. After recovering
ten-odd strong points in Tumen, including FTsikuo and Chienpei, the for,
ces continued their mopping up operations on an enlarged scale toward
the west. (Complete translation)
Peiping Sh ih Pao (San ;tin Chu I Youth Corps), Peiping
25 February 1948
BA1dDITS IN NORTH SHANSI ?ATTENPT TO " INIVADE TSO!TTN : GOVERMENT FORCES
IN TATIJNG SCORE VI-9)oRIES IN MOPPING-UP OPERATIONS
(Tatung, February 24, Ching Chung News Agency) -- The 7th and
13th Regiments of the First Sub-',_i I ard of the Bandit Shansi-Hopei Area,
which have been occupying villages adjacent to the Hunyun hsien city,
advanced,-day before yesterday to Ssuchiahui, over 60 li southeast of
Tatung, in coordination with 3,000 men of 'the Bandit betachment of Tatung.
The,b edits wore severely beaten by our mopping-up forces and flew back
to- Ihuhyurn.
The 44th, 45th and 46th Regiments of the Bandit Suiyuan-Mongolian
Area in concert with three bandits- regiments from Pinglu, totalling
over 6,000 strong, have proceeded to the LiangcIiahsienfang sector via
Yuyu, Nanciei and Pingpu. It looks as if 'they are going to launch an
attack against Yuncheng.-(Abridged translation)
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