Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram

General Marshall to President Truman and the Secretary of State

137. Reference my meeting with General Chou, Communist, yesterday and my 133 of yesterday, the following translation of Chou’s initial remarks was handed me by him this evening.

“This time when I came down from Yenan, Chairman Mao requested me to forward a personal letter addressed to you, in which he sent you his regards and expressed his thanks for all your efforts. However, because I went this morning first to another meeting, I failed to bring that letter along, but I will do it next time.

When I flew back to Yenan, I submitted to Chairman Mao and the Central Committee of our party a report on the truce negotiation and the proceedings of the PCC. Though certain aspects of the accomplishments made thus far do not entirely come up to our heart desire, yet the issuance of the cease fire order constitutes itself a tremendous success, and it must be said that much of this should be attributed to your nice efforts. As regards the PCC, a big step has also been made. The door toward democracy is now pushed open, regardless of how narrow the opening still is. Chairman Mao instructed me to communicate to you in particular that he regards the attitude you assumed in handling the truce problem being fair and just, and the Chinese Communist Party is prepared to cooperate with the United States in matters both of a local and national character on the basis as embodied in your aforementioned attitude. We believe [Page 152] that the democracy to be initiated in China should follow the American pattern. Since in present-day China, the conditions necessary to the introduction of Socialism do not exist, we Chinese Communists, who theoretically advocate Socialism as our ultimate goal, do not mean, nor deem it possible, to carry it into effect in the immediate future. In saying that we should pursue the American path, we mean to acquire U. S. styled democracy and science, and specifically to introduce to this country agricultural reform, industrialization, free enterprise and development of individuality, so that we may build up an independent, free and prosperous China.

I wish to take this opportunity of relating a small anecdote which might be of interest to you. It has been rumored recently, that Chairman Mao is going to pay a visit to Moscow. On learning this, Chairman Mao laughed and remarked half-jokingly that if ever he would take a furlough abroad, which would certainly do much good to his present health condition, he would rather go to the United States, because he thinks that there he can learn lots of things useful to China.

With regard to the implementation of the cease fire order, Chairman Mao wishes to make it known that it would be highly desirable if you would continue your efforts to enforce it not only in China proper, but also in Manchuria. [”]

General Chou also handed me the following letter from the Communist leader, Mao Tse-tung, to me.

“Dear General Marshall: On arriving here, Comrade Chou En-lai has submitted to me and the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party a report on the proceedings of the truce negotiation and the political consultative conference. I greatly appreciate your fair and just attitude in the course of negotiating and implementing the truce agreement. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, I wish to extend to you our deepest thanks.

The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party has decided to further authorize Comrade Chou En-lai to be our representative to conduct discussions with you on various matters so as to enjoy your impartial help for the solution of many problems of both a national and local nature, which are pressing to the whole Chinese people.

By the courtesy of Comrade Chou who is coming back to Chungking I wish to send you my best regards and greetings. Yours sincerely, (signed) Mao Tse-tung.”

I think it would be harmful to me here to give any publicity to these two papers.