Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and Doctor Wong Wen-hao at No. 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, November 18, 1946, 11 a.m.
| Also present: | Col. Caughey |
| Capt. Soong68 |
Dr. Wong opened the meeting by stating that Dr. Soong had asked him (Dr. Wong) to obtain General Marshall’s reaction to Dr. Soong’s memorandum69 (attached to preceding set of minutes),70 and also to get General Marshall’s views on economic cooperation between the United States and China.
General Marshall indicated to Dr. Wong that he was rather surprised by Dr. Soong’s memorandum in that it discussed a complete program for economic stabilization based upon United States support. [Page 1023] General Marshall then reminded Dr. Wong he had promised, as a result of the last conference, only to suggest to the State Department the possibility of establishing a small confidential committee for the purpose of discussing reparations and also to dispatch a message to General MacArthur concerning the same question.
General Marshall continued by informing Dr. Wong that prospects of financial assistance by the United States to China were growing dimmer and dimmer. He pointed out that U. S. taxpayers, particularly under a Republican Congress, certainly would not be willing to support a country whose financial condition was continuing to worsen because of military campaigns. General Marshall stated that he realized the economic-minded persons were in the minority and the military leaders and “die hards” were influencing the course of affairs in China, and he pointed out that as long as that condition existed, the Chinese could hope for no financial support since those factors permit intolerable developments. For instance, it is not reasonable to assume that the Government is interested in economic rehabilitation at the same time it is supporting a large military force which requires over 75 per cent of its total budget. General Marshall said that the only reason China has been able to maintain any degree of stability is the assistance given it by the United States. General Marshall added that one of the principal reasons for his return to the United States in March was to arrange for further assistance to help China in these matters. Later adverse developments in China, however, caused deletions, amendments, and some cancellations of the assistance.
Dr. Wong stated that economic collapse in China is now beginning, and that China was beset with factors such as Communist armed forces, which make it mandatory from the Chinese view point for active cooperation between the United States and China toward economic stabilization. General Marshall told Dr. Wong that at the moment there existed no basis for cooperation and that the United States taxpayers could not support a country infested with civil war and one-sided politics. Dr. Wong reiterated that United States assistance was necessary to save China from economic collapse.
General Marshall again informed Dr. Wong that he would contact the State Department with reference to the establishment of a small confidential reparations committee, and would contact General MacArthur with reference to the handling of reparations material. General Marshall also stated he would send a copy of Dr. T. V. Soong’s memorandum concerning economic stabilization to the State Department for its information.