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

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Draft of Suggested Statement by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek¹

[Nanking,] 27 Sept[ember 19]46.

A continuation of the present political and military situation in China will be destructive of the interests of a long suffering people. It will render impossible the unification of our country and will threaten the peace of the world. Therefore, it is necessary that an early solution be found to the present conflict and that peace be restored to the land. But as the responsible head of the Government of China, I must see that the necessary measures are taken to safeguard the security of the nation, since we are dealing with a political party which maintains a large army to support or enforce its political policies.

In the past three months, I have stipulated certain conditions that must be met by the Communist Party before a peaceful accord could be achieved and to which they have thus far refused to agree. They now demand an immediate meeting of the Committee of Three of which General Marshall is the chairman. That committee reached an impasse in its negotiations the latter part of June and unless there are certain preliminary but vital agreements or understandings, a meeting of the committee would not only be ineffective but its future possible usefulness would be fatally impaired. I have insisted that the group of five men selected to reach an understanding between the Government and the Communist Party making possible the establishment of the coalition State Council should first meet under the chairmanship of the United States Ambassador, Doctor Stuart, to give evidence of the good intent of both the Kuomintang Party and the Communist Party towards the reorganization of the government in accordance with the resolutions of the Peoples Consultative Council. With this reassurance of good faith on both sides there would then be a new basis of trust for the termination of the hostilities now disrupting China. I have further stated that concurrent with the termination of hostilities the Communist Party should indicate its honest intention to cooperate in the reorganization of the government by announcing its delegates to the National Assembly to meet on November 12 to determine on a democratic constitution for the Government of China.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, the misunderstanding and public confusion, and the distrust and suspicions unfortunately prevalent, I now make the following public announcement of the conditions under which the Government is prepared to act to secure an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The Five Man Committee under the chairmanship of Doctor Stuart to meet immediately and at the same time the Committee of Three under the chairmanship of General Marshall with the following understandings:

(a) The opposing troops in close contact to be separated in accordance with the terms tentatively agreed to by the Committee of Three in June for the termination of hostilities in Manchuria.

(b) The restoration of communications to be immediately resumed in accordance with the agreement tentatively reached by the Committee of Three last June.

(c) The method for settling disagreements among the team members of Executive Headquarters and Commissioners at Executive Headquarters to be in accordance with the agreement tentatively reached by the Committee of Three last June.

(d) The implementation of the agreement for the reorganization and unification of the armies of China to be settled by the Committee of Three without delay.

(e) That whatever understanding is reached by the Five Man Committee headed by Doctor Stuart it is to be confirmed by the Steering Committee of the PCC without delay.

(f) All questions of local government to be settled by the newly organized State Council.

(g) Concurrent with the cessation of hostilities, the Communist Party to announce its intention of participating in the National Assembly by publishing its list of delegates to that assembly.

1. Presented to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by General Marshall in course of conversation September 27. See Minutes of Meeting between General Marshall and Dr. Stuart, September 28, infra.