Unconditional Surrender of China Imminent: Peking Capitulates

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22852, 24 January 1949, Page 5

Unconditional Surrender of China Imminent: Peking Capitulates

(11.10 a.m-) NANKING, Jan. 23. The capital awoke today to learn that the Government stood on the verge of capitulation to the Communists, and the end is in sight to China’s long civil war.

Within 24 hours of General Chiang Kai-shek's sudden retirement, Peking has surrendered.

The acting President, Mr. Li Tsung Jen, has agreed to talk peace on the Communist terms, and the Cabinet has side-stepped the unconditional cease-fire appeal and has appointed a fiveman peace delegation.

The capital awaited calmly but anxiously for the Communist reaction to what observers called the “saddest and most calamitous 48 hours in the Kuomintang’s 38 years’ history.” Few Are Hopeful

Few Kuomintang members are hopeful about the outcome of the negotiations.

With the Communists still free to use their armies against the remnants of the Nationalists the peace delegation appears to face an almost insuperable task. The only model for the coming peace is thought to be Peking's terms, in which the Communists secured intact the provincial and municipal administrative machinery and are now directing them through a joint controlling office. The Nationalist forces completed the evacuation of Peking and the Communists entered the city today. The joint office established to deal with military and political affiairs comprises three Communists and three Nationalists. Packing Their Bags Kuomintang leaders in Nanking on the Communists’ list of war criminals are packing today to follow General Chiang into possible exile. Meanwhile, Communist spearheads are reported to have taken up positions 15 miles north-east of Nanking. Their rapid southward lunge threw the Government retreat south to the Yangtse River into disorder. The Nationalist Government is willing to carry on peace negotiations on the basis of the eight points contained in the broadcast by the Communist leader, General Mao Tse Tung, in reply to the Nationalist peace proposals, said the Vice-President, Mr. Li Tsung Jen, in a statement directed to the Communists last night. Chiang’s Final Message

General Chiang Kai-shek in a final message announced that he had retired from the Presidency. Hi 3 last official act before leaving was the appointment of General Hsueh Yiao. Governor of Kwantung, succeeding Dr. T. V. Soong, who also resigned.

General Chiang Kai-shek’s decision to step down was made suddenly. It followed an interview between the generalissimo and the peace advocate, Mr. Chang Chih Chung, who expressed the intention of returning to his former post in North-West China, This would have meant the collapse of the Sun Fo Cabinet and the failure of the peace talks.

The Sun Fo Cabinet met Mr. Li Tsung Jen this morning when the latter expressed the wish for all Ministers to remain at their posts. In this difficult time, he said, there should be as little change as possible in the Government.