893.00/8–1646
Joint Statement by General Marshall and Dr. Stuart1
General Marshall and Doctor Stuart have been exploring together every possibility for terminating the present growing conflict in China and for the initiation of the preliminary steps in the development of a truly democratic form of government. The desire for a peaceful solution to the political problems appears practically unanimous on the part of the people. The economic situation demands a prompt solution if a disastrous collapse is to be avoided. The fighting is daily growing more widespread and threatens to engulf the country and pass beyond the control of those responsible. Both the Government and the Communist leaders are anxious to put an end to the fighting but there are certain issues concerned in the immediate settlements involved regarding which an agreement has not been found. It appears impossible for the 2 parties to reach a settlement of these issues which would permit a general order to be issued for the complete cessation of hostilities in all of China. Certain of the unsettled issues relate to the military redispositions of troops. However, these apparently present less difficulty of settlement than a more fundamental issue concerning the character of local or country governments to be maintained in the regions which will be evacuated as a result of the military redisposition pending a basic decision in such matters by the Constitutional Assembly.
- Released to the press at Nanking on August 10. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in despatch No. 52, August 16; received September 5.↩