Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Notes on Meeting Between General Marshall and General C. P. Lee at General Marshall’s Residence, Nanking, November 30, 1946, 5:30 p.m.
| Also present: | Capt. Soong |
General C. P. Lee referred to many rumors from the newspapers relating to General Marshall’s and Dr. Stuart’s activities. General Marshall refuted all these rumors and stated that they were created entirely by the Chinese newspapermen.
General Lee reported that he had seen Mr. Tung Pi-wu yesterday and that he thought Mr. Tung was still friendly toward the American mediators. General Marshall said that Dr. Stuart also had a meeting with Mr. Tung, but Dr. Stuart was very pessimistic over Mr. Tung’s attitude. General Marshall stated that Mr. Tung had flatly indicated his distrust toward American mediation. General Marshall expressed his hope that the National Assembly would adopt a constitution which was really in accordance with PCC resolutions, and that it would organize the State Council and reserve seats for the Communist Party. However, General Marshall expressed doubt that the Government would follow that course.
General Lee said that the Young China Party did not attend the National Assembly meeting yesterday because of disagreement with the Kuomintang over the draft Constitution. He said that the Kuomintang wanted to go back to the 5 May Constitution. General Lee pointed out that the new Constitution is largely based on PCC resolutions and that it is a fairly good one. He then said that if the Constitution were adopted, the Government should follow the provisions of this Constitution. General Marshall said that in order to insure that the Government would follow the new Constitution, it would be necessary to have a strong opposition party.
[Page 573]General Lee expressed the opinion that it might be helpful if the United States had an agreement with Soviet Russia over the situation in China. General Marshall stated that this is easier said than done. The United States could not get any cooperation from Russia over the smallest issues. He cited the 200,000 Japanese prisoners of war isolated in Dairen. Throughout the past year, no information reached the outside world that there were 200,000 Japanese repatriates remaining in that area and that no information could be sent out by the American Consul there. Therefore, General Marshall felt that if Soviet Russia was to be brought into the present negotiations, it would only tend to make things more complicated.
General Lee stated that there may be a chance in the future to reopen negotiations. General Lee stated that a trip to Yenan by Third Party members such as Mr. Mo Teh-hui or Mr. Hu Lin might bear fruit. He also suggested that larger UNRRA80 and CNRRA81 programs for Communist-dominated areas might increase chances for new negotiations.
General Marshall asked General Lee how long he (General Lee) thought the Communists would want him to wait for their reaction to his further mediation. General Lee could not make a positive reply but hinted that General Marshall should wait for further developments. He said that only the Chinese people suffer from the struggles between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang. He stated that the world recognizes America as the greatest power. If such power were used correctly, all people in the world would benefit. General Marshall agreed. General Marshall emphasized that the main issues today are whether the Government will adopt a PCC Constitution and whether the Government will attack Yenan.