Office of the Historian

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and Mr. Butterworth at No. 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, November 18, 1946, 10:45 a.m.

Nanking, November 18, 1946, 10:45 a.m.
Also present: Col. Caughey

General Marshall discussed with Mr. Butterworth the letter from Dr. T. V. Soong (attached)62 and asked for Mr. Butterworth’s reactions. Mr. Butterworth stated that Dr. Soong and Dr. Wong63 were extremely concerned over the financial status of China and, in particular, the financial status of China with respect to other Asiatic countries. Mr. Butterworth stated that Dr. Wong was particularly worried about Russian propaganda and that he therefore wished the economic program outlined in the letter to be developed confidentially.

General Marshall then explained to Mr. Butterworth that in a previous conversation with Dr. Wong he had promised to suggest to the State Department the establishment of a confidential small group for the purpose of studying the reparations question which Dr. Wong had stated was unfair to China, and that he had also promised to send a statement (to be prepared by Mr. Bayne64) informally to General MacArthur65 with respect to the handling of reparations in Japan.

General Marshall continued by stating that Dr. Soong’s letter was greatly expanded over the matter which was previously discussed66 with Dr. Wong that the economic program listed in the letter was very comprehensive, that it would be very expensive; and that support of such a program by the United States would be an extremely long-range project. General Marshall then asked Mr. Butterworth for his views as to what he should tell Dr. Wong when he saw him at 11 o’clock. In elaboration of this question to Mr. Butterworth, General Marshall stated that he was prepared to emphatically point out to Dr. Wong that continued hope for financial support from the United States for the purpose of economic stabilization could hardly [Page 1021] be entertained by the Chinese when the need for such stabilization had been caused by military leaders and “diehards” in the National Government who, during the past year, had shown no cooperation whatsoever with General Marshall.

Mr. Butterworth stated that he agreed that the matter should be dealt with emphatically, but that General Marshall should hold out to Dr. Wong hope for assistance in the economic stabilization providing the Government reformed.

  1. Infra. ↩
  2. Wong Wen-hao, Vice President of the Chinese Executive Yuan.↩
  3. E. Ashley Bayne, special adviser to the Chinese Government on enemy property matters.↩
  4. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan.↩
  5. Conference of November 13, 6 p.m.; minutes not printed.↩