Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
General Marshall to President Truman70
[967] Dear Mr. President: Negotiations since yesterday morning have been proceeding by formal meetings of the Committee of Three lengthily and painfully but we are making progress. These meetings are preceded and followed by personal meetings of mine with various principals. The Communists have made important concessions in granting the deciding vote to the Americans on teams and at the Executive Headquarters regarding matters pertaining to the cessation of hostilities procedure, interpretation of agreements and their execution. These do not pertain to highest level, that is the Committee of Three, but I think that there is a possibility that the Communists will accept the majority vote decision on interpretation of agreements.
I have declined to commit myself further regarding the Committee of Three as I do not think the United States Government should bear the heavy responsibility through my actions in regard to matters of great importance beyond interpretation of agreements, which means the manner or direction of their implementation.
[Page 1169]On lower level, that is at Executive Headquarters and with teams, I think it all right for Americans to be committed to a majority vote policy regarding specific matters.
It is very difficult to predict the rate of progress and eventual outcome because of the effect of heavy sporadic fighting, carelessly expressed desire of some important government leaders to settle issue by force, unfortunate propaganda, mutually accentuated suspicion and distrust, et cetera. However, all this seems to be normal to any settlement in China.
- Copy transmitted on June 23 by the War Department to the Department of State.↩