121.893/2–2346: Telegram
General Marshall to President Truman
[233.] Dear Mr. President: Yesterday afternoon the Committee on Demobilization, Reorganization and Integration reached a final agreement on all points, carefully checked the phrasing and translation and agreed on the form for the press release. Mao Tse-Tung has given Chou En-Lai authority for final approval but absence of Generalissimo for past 10 days leaves his representative, General Chang Chih Chung, without similar authority. Generalissimo had previously approved my draft but there have been some changes, none I think compromising his position. He returns today or tomorrow and unless his state of mind over the Manchurian issue upsets his previous views and willingness to compromise, there should be no trouble in securing approval.
Another subject: James Shepley, who accompanied me to China in status of State Department Attaché and acted as my assistant in all negotiations, frequently dealing direct for me with various principals, is returning home on expiration of leave given him by Time Corporation. He arrives in Washington Monday the 25th and can give you a complete picture of the complicated situation and various influences and of my views.23
- Notation by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent) on February 28: “I had an hour and a half talk with Shepley yesterday.”↩