Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East: China, Volume X

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Memorandum by General Chou En-lai⁴⁵

[Nanking,] 6 Sep[tember 19]46.

1. A state of civil war does exist and is going on in China.

2. The Chinese Communist Party advocated an unconditional truce, which implied that both the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party should immediately cease firing and implement the terms agreed during the June armistice. The Kuomintang insisted that firing cannot be ceased until the Communists have evacuated all places which they deem as menacing peace and disrupting communications, in other words, the 5-point demand should be carried out in the first place.

3. Dr. Stuart suggested that with a view to approaching the realization of cease firing an informal five-man group be initiated to discuss the question of government reorganization. General Marshall and Dr. Stuart promised to exert their utmost efforts as representatives of the U. S. government to press for the realization of peace. Although the Chinese Communists are fully aware that the Kuomintang has no intent to cease firing by the time the discussion of government reorganization [is completed, they nevertheless consented to the initiation of the informal group for the discussion of the government reorganization] in order to demonstrate their great esteem for the utmost efforts exerted by the two mediators. But before entering into such a discussion, they wish to have their mind cleared as to the following three points:

(1) Whether or not the government reorganization will be effected in accordance with the procedure stipulated by the PCC resolutions. If this is the case, then the formula for government reorganization shall be submitted to the PCC Steering Committee for final approval. It is communicated that such an understanding is shared by the Government.

(2) Whether or not the Government would agree to the issuance of cease fire orders by both parties as soon as the formula for government reorganization is worked out by the informal group.

(3) Whether or not the Government would agree to drop its five-point demand. Regarding the last two points the Government reply is in the negative as was borne out by the public statements made by Dr. Peng Hsueh-pei, Mr. Wu Ting-chang, Mr. Wu Te-chen and General Chen Cheng. The outcome of Generalissimo’s conversation with General Marshall during the last three weeks tended to underscore such a trend.

4. The Chinese Communist Party suggests that the Government would promise to issue joint cease fire orders as soon as the discussion of the informal group bears result. Both General Marshall and Dr. Stuart communicated that there is no assurance of securing such a promise at this stage.

5. The Chinese Communist Party further suggests whether or not the American side feels itself in the position to furnish the promise that as soon as the formula for government reorganization has been reached by the informal group, cease fire orders will be issued by both sides without delay. Both General Marshall and Dr. Stuart replied that such a promise is also not possible at this time.

6. Dr. Stuart can only go so far as to promise that in case the Government still refuses to issue cease fire order by the time the formula for government reorganization has been passed by the Steering Committee, he will exercise criticism on the Chinese Government, but it cannot interfere with the actions of the Government and force it to accept cessation of fighting.

7. According to General Marshall, if the agreement on the reorganization of the Government had been cleared by the PCC Steering Committee, and the Chinese Communists stated that they would not nominate their membership until the cease firing is declared, then the American side would endorse their stand. As to the terms for cessation of hostilities, it is General Marshall’s view that they should still be open to settlement by the Committee of Three. On the Communist enquiry as to what should happen in case the Government insists that the Communists should evacuate all five or at least one of the five aforementioned areas as is embodied in the five-point demand, General Marshall’s reply is that such a prospect is possible, but it is beyond the power of the American representatives to interfere.

45. Revised after discussion with General Marshall and Ambassador Stuart; see minutes supra. Bracketed section apparently inadvertently dropped from previous draft.