Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Memorandum by Colonel Claire E. Hutchin
Memorandum for Record of Information Dr. Stuart Wished Passed to General Marshall Through Colonel Hutchin, 23 August 1946
Dr. Stuart stated that what he had to tell was sort of a combination of information and speculation. General Marshall would of course be familiar with the particular individual, Li Li-san. You will recall that Li Li-san was expelled from the Communist Party 14 years ago and went to Moscow to live. Recently he came back, visited Yenan and then went to Manchuria where he is now very active in all affairs concerning that area. There are many who believe he is working under instructions or guidance from Moscow, or alternatively has a working agreement with Moscow.98
Dr. Stuart considered that the information on Li Li-san’s activities was reliable. Li Li-san is an advocate of peace at the present time and is working for a cessation of all hostilities.
If so, this probably means, Dr. Stuart conjectured, that the USSR is interested in keeping the peace in that area. Why? Are they planning some later detachment of Manchuria from the total problem of China perhaps? Are they plotting some elimination of interests with a view to establishing Manchuria as a special sphere of Soviet influence? Dr. Stuart thought it was quite possible that there was a forthcoming split between Li Li-san and Mao Tse Tung.99 This was not factual but there were indications that there was a threatened break in the party. If the break occurred, leadership would probably go to one of the two men. What bearing would that have on immediate negotiations?
Certainly there is considerable evidence that there is some sort of agreement against fighting in Manchuria. It is relatively quiet and [Page 82] while one sees fighting breaking out everywhere else in China, one could almost say there is something approaching peace in Manchuria.
Another speculation according to Dr. Stuart, is that perhaps the Generalissimo and Li Li-san may have some understanding through National Government General Tu Li-ming.1 At least the Generalissimo seems to feel fairly secure and sure of his position in Manchuria as is evidenced by his use of it as a bargaining position; witness the 2½ provinces in exchange for five points.