Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and Dr. T. V. Soong, June 5, 1946, 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Soong opened the meeting by stating that he had talked with the Generalissimo this morning. The Generalissimo insisted on a complete and definite arrangement with Gen. Chou En-lai within the 10–day limit specified in the press release. Dr. Soong added that the program, with definite understandings, must be practical since it [is] inextricably involved with the economic situation.
Gen. Marshall informed Dr. Soong that Col. Hill,96 Gen. Byroade’s [Page 980] engineer, was now in Nanking and would work with Gen. Yu Ta-wei and Gen. Chou En-lai on the restoration of rail communications. Gen. Marshall added that two points complicated the matter on the Communist side; first, their distrust in Tai Li’s secret police, and second, the National Government’s refusal to remove fortifications. Gen. Marshall stated that there was an additional matter to consider and that was the stiff-necked attitude evidenced by the representative of the Ministry of Communications.
Gen. Marshall stated that he was extremely concerned over the fact that trivial matters in the past had blocked much needed developments in China’s economic structure. The small things seemed to mount and mount, thus overcoming any definite results toward necessary reconstruction. Gen. Marshall pointed out that during his recent 3500 mile trip through North China the question of lack of communications was presented to him by the local leaders of every place he visited. Again it was the small things that created the difficulties.
Dr. T. V. Soong stated that the Communists had stolen and destroyed certain equipment on the Yellow River project. Gen. Marshall stated that he had heard about this and also had discussed the matter with Gen. Chou En-lai. He added that it was his feeling that much good could be accomplished and such incidents would [apparent omission] if the National Government accept some Communist representatives on CNRRA in order to obviate minor difficulties such as this. Gen. Marshall also suggested that Dr. T. V. Soong talk to Mr. Todd, UNRRA’s field engineer. Dr. Soong also referred to the difficult situation in North Kiangsu, where Communist forces had driven in for the purposes of appropriating the rice crops.
Gen. Marshall referred to his discussions with the Generalissimo concerning the termination of hostilities in Manchuria and the Generalissimo’s proposed press release, and showed Dr. Soong a copy of his (Gen. Marshall’s) memorandum inclosed to Gen. Chou, dated 4 June, based on these conversations. Gen. Marshall pointed out that it was [at] his insistence that sub-paragraph 1, concerning termination of hostilities in Manchuria, had been inserted. Gen. Marshall said that the Communists were objecting to the 10-day time limit and he felt they were not unreasonable in their contention. Gen. Marshall told Dr. Soong that he proposed to ask the Generalissimo for an extension of five days. Gen. Marshall continued by stating that with reference to point 3 a very definite schedule of timing must be developed for the Manchurian situation and it must be stated in detail to indicate definite schedules for each of the first three months and for each three months thereafter.
[Page 981]Gen. Marshall continued by stating that he was impressed with Dr. Wang Shih Chieh’s97 fear of establishing a coalition government. Dr. Wang’s thought was that a coalition government, such as was the British Government, had been established on a previously sound government. This would not be the case in China, since a stable government does not exist as a basis for the transition to the coalition phase and therefore it might be preferable to adhere to a strictly two-party government.
Gen. Marshall concluded by reiterating that the tremendous suspicion on both sides was making it extremely difficult to resolve this critical situation. Dr. Soong admitted that there was great suspicion and stated that for that reason he thought it might be preferable to seek a peaceful solution by giving the Communists certain areas of China which would then be their domain.