121.893/3–646: Telegram
General Marshall to President Truman74
282. Dear Mr. President: I returned today from about a 3,000 mile flight through North China to the borders of inner Mongolia taking with me my two associates on the Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities and the Committee for the Demobilization and Reorganization of the Army, also the three Commissioners from Executive Headquarters at Peking. We saw almost all the principal commanders in the field. We found a number of difficulties which could have soon become dangerous situations. All of these I think have been straightened out and a general understanding promoted throughout the region. There was every indication that affairs would clear up quickly and communications be reopened and normal life for the poor civilians actually gotten under way. A number of field commanders were feeling deeply over local matters and we were able to lift them to an appreciation of the much larger issues at stake. They all promised complete cooperation. I had a long talk with Mao Tze-tung at Yenan and I was frank to an extreme. He showed no resentment and gave me every assurance of cooperation. My reception everywhere was enthusiastic and in cities tumultuous.
I think we are now ready to start on the demobilization and reorganization. Shortage of American officers to be present as the middle men at the scene of these various procedures is my greatest difficulty at this time. The presence of an American in such circumstances will be mandatory for some time to come. The officers we have had on these little teams of three men scattered about at isolated posts in China have performed an amazing task. A single American with a communist and government representative of his committee and with communications almost non-existent will have to dominate a region larger than Pennsylvania and bring factions who have been at war for 18 years to a peaceful understanding and communications restored. Airplanes have made the work possible, but what has been done in the field has been really astounding in its magnitude and importance considering the small number of Americans who have made the task possible of realization. Our men have been splendid [Page 511] and are performing a great service for China and for American prestige. I will take this officer shortage up with the War Department on my return.
I request that you send a message recalling me home on receipt of this radio and that announcement be made to the press accordingly as suggested in my previous message (251).75 I am planning to leave here between the 10th and 12th and to fly straight through without overnight stop.