Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and Dr. Peng Hsuehpei39 at No. 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, December 20, 1946, 10:30 a.m.
| Also present: | Colonel Underwood |
Dr. Peng stated that the Presidential Statement of 18 December has been read from an English translation to the Generalissimo and to Dr. T. V. Soong. Dr. Peng considered the statement fair and highly informative. He felt that the Chinese people themselves would derive benefit from the statement, since they were not fully informed regarding the scope and importance of General Marshall’s efforts. Even though General Marshall had not attained his political objectives, he had helped the Chinese to approach maturity in their political thinking.
General Marshall mentioned that Dr. Pfeffer [Peffer] of Columbia University had reported that most liberals and educators and many [Page 645] top-level businessmen and bankers in China now felt that the United States had caused the prolongation of the civil war in China by the material assistance which it had given to the National Government. General Marshall also stated that there appears to be a growing solidarity of feeling within China against the Kuomintang Government. Much of this feeling is directed against the United States at present because of the strong anti-American Communist propaganda. However, the National Government should expect this feeling to shift directly against the Government in the near future.
He referred to the great public debate now developing in the United States as a result of the Luce–Howard pro-Kuomintang campaign and the counter-campaign calling for withdrawal of all assistance to the National Government. One of the chief effects of this development in the United States would be the exposure of much of the evil and corruption of the Kuomintang. He advised Dr. Peng to make all Government press releases conservative in tone and factually honest. The National Government could not afford to indulge in the propaganda tactics of the CCP. Kuomintang party papers could continue to follow the party line, but Government releases should stress accuracy and detachment. This action would have a tremendously beneficial effect on foreign correspondents.
General Marshall said that he was thinking of military releases as well as political information. Although recognizing the great difficulties involved, he felt that Dr. Peng should act vigorously within the Government to prevent official endorsement of inaccurate and inflammatory statements by military commanders. The Ministry of Information could express opinions freely but should adhere strictly to honest reporting of facts.
Dr. Peng asked General Marshall if the National Government should make a public response to the Presidential Statement. General Marshall had not given the matter much thought, but considered deeds more important than words. Ignoring the statement would produce no benefits and making only a brief reference to the statement would appear curt, while a lengthy reply might be taken as so many meaningless words. It would be necessary to strike a balance and to seek a favorable occasion. General Marshall suggested that an address by the Generalissimo to the final session of the National Assembly might be the proper place to insert appropriate remarks concerning the Presidential Statement. Dr. Peng agreed and thanked General Marshall for his advice.
- Minister of Information.↩