Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Oral Statement by General Chou En-lai for Ambassador Stuart
[Shanghai,] October 8, 1946.
Reply from Yenan as follows:
- 1.
- The truce should be without a time limit because, based on previous experience, it would otherwise be unsatisfactory. The proposal would seem to be a strategy unless the Government troops were withdrawn to their original positions, thus demonstrating the sincerity of the Government.
- 2.
- The Communist Party wishes to have the Three- and Five-Man Committees to meet but the discussion should not be limited to the two paragraphs of the October 2nd communication of the Generalissimo. These topics dealt with under truce conditions may be regarded as under military coercion.
- 3.
- No reply had been sent to the communication of October 2nd because the Communist Party had been hoping to have some word from General Marshall and Dr. Stuart clarifying the situation for peace. The latest proposal implies that the situation has not changed much. [Page 311] General Chou is therefore preparing to send a formal written reply and sees no need for his returning to Nanking.
(Note) Mr. Wang Ping Nan called on Dr. Stuart to relate the above information verbally. Dr. Stuart then prepared the above and verified it with Mr. Wang as to accuracy.