Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Memorandum by General Marshall to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek
Your Excellency: Since our conversation of Monday morning, September 30, and General Yu Ta Wei’s call on me the same afternoon, [Page 268] I have carefully considered all the factors involved in the present status of negotiations and military operations. I have also taken into consideration the later developments;
- (1)
- The Communist announcement of yesterday stating their refusal to nominate delegates to the National Assembly unless certain PCC conditions are met and the announcement of the governmental Central News Agency regarding the operations against Kalgan;
- (2)
- The informal suggestions (Incl. 1)34 of Doctor T. V. Soong for a series of actions as conditions precedent to a cessation of hostilities, which he mentioned to Doctor Stuart this morning, and
- (3)
- The memorandum from General Chou En-lai to me (Incl. 2)35 which was handed to me by Mr. Tung Pi Wu today.
I am not in agreement either with the present course of the Government in regard to this critical situation or with that of the Communist Party. I disagree with the evident Government policy of settling the fundamental differences involved by force, that is by utilizing a general offensive campaign to force compliance with the Government point of view or demands. I recognize the vital necessity of safeguarding the security of the Government, but I think the present procedure has passed well beyond that point.
On the part of the Communist Party, I deplore actions and statements which provide a basis for the contention on the part of many in the Government that the Communists’ proposals can not be accepted in good faith, that it is not the intention of that Party to cooperate in a genuine manner in a reorganization of the Government, but rather to disrupt the Government and seize power for their own purposes.
I will not refer to the circumstances connected with the ineffective negotiations since last March. I wish merely to state that unless a basis for agreement is found to terminate the fighting without further delays of proposals and counterproposals, I will recommend to the President that I be recalled and that the United States Government terminate its efforts of mediation.