Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Notes on Statement by Chou En-lai to the Third Party Group, November 5, 1946
The exchange of name-list for cease-fire order not satisfactory.
It is not simply an agreement as to the Executive Yuan.
Local administration is important.
The four promises of the Generalissimo are also essential.
Political without military settlements are not a sufficient guarantee.
Any settlement must be a thorough-going one.
Troops may stay where they are after the cessation of hostilities.
Whether discussions are informal or formal does not matter.
Unwilling to state demands for two reasons: [Page 473]
- 1.
- No assurance that the Government would not take unfair advantage of such a statement.
- 2.
- No new military proposals. Ready to base these on the June conferences but Government probably unwilling. If desired, the matter may be referred to Yenan.
Conclusion. This is confined to topics and procedure.
I. Political
a. Reorganization of Government including Executive Yuan.
b. Draft of Constitution: (1) Committee (2) Guarantee as to its approval by National Assembly.
c. National Assembly: (1) Distribution of additional members. (2) Date.
d. Local administration: (1) Disputed areas including Manchuria. (2) Original understanding as to control.
3. [e] Fulfillment of the four Promises.
II. Military
- a.
- Total cessation of hostilities.
- b.
- Restoration of troops to original places (Government troops up to 80% now in Communist Party territory).
- c.
- Restoration of communications everywhere.
- d.
- Authority and function of Executive Headquarters and field teams.