Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Notes on Meeting Between General Marshall and Dr. Stuart, Nanking, October 1, 1946, 11:45 a.m.
| Also present: | Lt. Col. Hutchin |
Doctor Stuart stated he had just come from a meeting with Dr. T. V. Soong31 who had expressed alarm over the present trend of events. Dr. Soong pointed out the disastrous consequences to China if there should be a breakdown of negotiations at this time. Dr. Soong had stated frankly that the Government wanted to take Kalgan before anything more happened in the way of negotiations.
Doctor Stuart said that he discussed the current situation and developments with Dr. Soong, after which Dr. Soong stated he would go see the Generalissimo immediately. Dr. Soong had made certain notes as to the procedure he thought would be best in overcoming [Page 267] current difficulties. He gave Dr. Stuart an outline32 of this procedure, which, at this point was shown to General Marshall.
General Marshall, after reading the procedure, considered that Dr. Soong’s proposal would take at least a month to resolve, during which time the fighting apparently would continue. This proposed procedure put the American mediators right back where they were in June. The more General Marshall thought it over, the more he was convinced that the time was approaching when it would be necessary to recommend that the United States Government terminate his mission.
Doctor Stuart stated that it was looking more and more that way to him too.