Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., to General Marshall
373. Generalissimo called me for conference at noon yesterday, 26 March 1946, and asked that I pass to you the following information[:]
“As a result of U. S. attitude in refusing to accede to Russian request of postponing UNO the Russians have softened their attitude toward [Page 604] Manchuria. The Soviet Ambassador presented to the Chinese Government a note to the effect that withdrawal of Soviet troops will be completed by the end of April. This note is quite unprecedented since Russians had not replied after repeated requests of the past 3 months to notes bearing on this matter.
To prove Soviet softening. The discussion on Sino-Soviet economic cooperation was conducted in Changchun Soviet Headquarters between the Soviet commander and Mr. Chan Chai-shi. Since Soviet troops did not withdraw by 1 February, Mr. Chan was ordered by Chinese Government to leave Changchun. Later Soviet authorities requested Chinese to return to continue discussions but Chinese refused and asked that discussions be held in Chungking. Soviet authorities then refused saying discussions should be in Changchun[;] yesterday, 25 March, the Soviet Ambassador visited the Chinese Foreign Minister saying that the Soviet Government was now willing to continue discussion [discussing] in Chungking the problem of economical cooperation in Manchuria.
Up to 2 days ago Soviet troops and Communist troops in Manchuria tried to create the atmosphere that when the Soviet troops withdrew they were not going to return sovereignty to the National Government troops. However a report received just yesterday indicated that when they withdraw they will return sovereignty to National troops and abide by the Sino-Soviet Treaty.”
Generalissimo concludes from the above matters that Committee of Three should adopt firm attitude with respect to Russian activities in Manchuria and insure that any arrangements made are in furtherance of the Sino-Soviet Treaty.53
New Subject. General Chou En-lai called on me at 1400 yesterday, 26 March 1946, and asked that I forward to you the following message[:]
“I deeply appreciate your cooperation and therefore, I wish to tell you frankly that before the accomplishment of the reorganization of the Government and the enactment of the draft Constitution, China cannot yet be said to have been insured of democracy and stability. On account of that, I am of the opinion that unless the loan54 is signed by the recognized Government, it will not be to the interest of the Chinese people and the cooperation between China and the United States of America.”
In presenting this matter General Chou stated that in a previous [Page 605] conference with you, you had informed him that loans to China would be predicated on (1) a stable Government and (2) peace in Manchuria.
Another Subject. I have been informed through sources which I have not yet been able to evaluate that the Communists do not propose to submit their demobilization and reorganization lists until they are assured that the reorganized Government will be satisfactory to them. At the same time I hear from low level National officers that the National Government does not intend to present formally its list, which is already prepared, until the Communists submit theirs.
- General Marshall submitted this information to the Secretary of State in a memorandum of March 28, not printed.↩
- See vol. x, pp. 911 ff.↩