Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East: China, Volume IX

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

The Communist Delegation to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek⁴⁸

undated

To: President Chiang Kai-shek

Care of: Messrs. Sun Fo, Wu Tieh-cheng, Wang Shih-chieh, Shao Li-tze, Chen Li-fu, Chang Li-sheng⁴⁹

From: Chou En-lai, Tung Pi-wu, Li Wei-han, Yeh Chien-ying, Wu Yu-chang, Lu Ting-yi, and Teng Ying-chao⁵⁰

Since the announcement of the suspense of aggressive actions in Manchuria, the Chinese people and the public opinion in world are unequivocal in their ardent desire that through the good offices of General Marshall the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party would reach within this 15-day period an unanimous agreement on such issues as restoration of Communications, termination of hostilities and army reorganization in Manchuria, so that the short-term armistice would resolve itself into a long-term truce and the door toward peace and unity be opened. Unfortunately, despite the arduous efforts of the various parties concerned within these 15 days, the Government by putting forward its own army reorganization scheme surprisingly revealed its intention to force the Communists out of the big cities and railway lines during the process of army reorganization, so as to set stage for their eventual elimination. It further insists that the American representative be empowered with the final decision in the tri-partite conferences, thus to guarantee the implementation of such a scheme. Under such circumstances, we regret to say that we find no way toward giving consideration to such a proposal. Furthermore, the Government is getting deeper and deeper engaged in the movement of troops and preparation for war. A single spark at this time would ignite an immense conflagration. Should at this critical moment the hostilities not be stopped at once, they would send ravage to the people, and devastation to the country. Such a situation is too horrible to be merely thought about.

Just now we received an instruction from the Central Committee of our party, which says, that in the light of the present internal and external circumstances and the will of the Chinese people, it is impossible to avert the grave crisis and to save the Chinese people from their immense suffering except by way of an immediate cessation of hostilities and realization of peace. In view of this we beg to put forward the following measures for immediate implementation:

1. The Committee of Three shall announce without delay a long-term truce for Manchuria, at the same time reaffirming its nation-wide cease fire order, stipulating the detail terms for effecting the cessation of hostilities, and ordering troops of both sides to strictly abide by those terms.

2. Pursuant to the cease fire announcement, the Committee of Three shall immediately discuss the detail measures for the resumption of communications throughout the country, giving first priority to the repair of important railway lines.

3. The Committee of Three shall work out within a set time limit the detail arrangements governing the reorganization and demobilization of the Chinese armies in China proper and Manchuria. The arrangements thus worked out shall be implemented at once.

4. Through consulting with the other parties, the Government shall convene on a fixed date the second session of the PCC, with a view to reaching an early settlement on such matters, as the reorganization of the government, the protection of civil rights, the relief of people’s livelihood, and the completion of the national unity.

If the foregoing points do meet your approval, it is requested that they will separately be referred to the Committee of Three and the Steering Committee of the PCC for taking actions, so that the people’s anxiety shall be relieved, and their desire complied with.

In view of the gravity of the situation, we are anxiously awaiting your conclusion on these proposals.

48. Forwarded on June 21; copy transmitted to General Marshall on the same date by Gen. Chou En-lai.
49. Members of the Chinese National Government: President of the Legislative Yuan, Vice President of the same, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General of the People’s Political Council, Minister of the Kuomintang Organization Board, and Minister of Interior, respectively.
50. The last-named was the wife of Gen. Chou En-lai.