740.00119 Council/12–1345: Telegram
President Truman to General Marshall
General Marshall: On your departure for China I wish to send you this last word of encouragement and appreciation. I believe that the development of a strong, united and democratic China is essential. The alternatives seem to me clearly to be disunity or prolonged civil war, neither of which would be in our interests nor in the interests of international peace. I know that the problems involved are not easy ones but I am confident that you will be able to solve them with complete success.
You carry with you as you enter upon the task ahead of you my full support and complete confidence.