Major General Patrick J. Hurley to President Roosevelt and the Chief of Staff (Marshall)64
CFB 22221. Message follows series of conferences today with the Generalissimo, General Stilwell and others. Nelson participated in all conferences except those of a purely military nature and it is on these military subjects that I am reporting.
The Generalissimo stated to General Stilwell this morning and to me this afternoon that he is prepared to give General Stilwell actual command of all forces in the field in China and that with this command he is also giving to him his complete confidence. He stated that General Stilwell will now have to give considerable attention to practical factors but did not elaborate this theme. The Generalissimo seemed somewhat at a loss to evolve proper set-up for command, and asked me to describe for him the Eisenhower set-up. The Generalissimo expressed a desire for changes in the organization of the rear area, his idea being the establishment of a workable SOS and cordially invited our assistance on formulating and making effective the plan of reorganization. While the conversations were to the effect that there would be extensive reorganization we have not yet ironed out any of the details, some of which will undoubtedly be difficult to solve. For instance, the Generalissimo intends to put General Stilwell under the National Military Council and much will depend on the extent of this Council’s control. During our conversations the Generalissimo seemed deeply concerned about the so-called Communist Troops in China.
I was able to report to him that Molotov had said that Russia is not giving support to the so-called Communistic organization in China. In fact, Molotov states that the so-called Communists of China are not Communists at all. We were able to report also that Molotov stated that Russia desires more cordial relations with China, notwithstanding all this the Generalissimo still seems skeptical regarding the Communists and stated definitely that any so-called Communist Troops serving under General Stilwell would have to submit definitely to the control of the Generalissimo and the National Military Council. He stated that this condition would be a primary requirement for the unification of command and would apply to all forces in China.
This is a progress report with neither conclusions nor recommendations but to keep you informed. There is a good prospect for unification of command in China and the Generalissimo shows a definite tendency to comply with your wishes.
- Telegram transmitted through military channels, with direction that “Upon receipt this message is to be delivered to and is for the eyes of the President and Marshall only.” Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩