Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and General C. P. Lee64 at No. 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, September 18, 1946, Noon
| Also present: | Captain Soong |
General Marshall said he did not quite understand why the Communists are delaying the Dr. Stuart committee. The Communist Party [Page 199] had insisted on a cessation of hostilities but now would not go ahead with a formula, proposed by General Marshall and Dr. Stuart, which seems to be the only procedure which might lead to that end at the present time. General Marshall suspected that great complications in the present situation were being added by the Democratic League. Heretofore the Democratic League followed the Communist Party, which was the only hope for it to gain power. Now Dr. Lo is fearful of losing power and the Communist Party is fearful that it may lose cooperation of the Democratic League in relation to the veto power in the State Council.
General Chou wants the Committee of Three to meet. But the Generalissimo has not authorized his representatives to attend. General Marshall also expressed that there is no purpose for the Committee of Three to meet at the present time because no agreement could possibly be reached.
General Lee stated that the reason the Communists are delaying is possibly that, after 5 months’ time, they might have a better chance to win. During the past few months they have annihilated 1/5 of the total Government troops. They have also captured enough American ammunition and equipment from the Government troops to organize 18 divisions. They further believe that if the war continues they can capture even more. General Marshall then commented that the Government’s military campaign is more successful than he had anticipated. However he is afraid that this may cause fighting in Manchuria, and then there would be a total civil war.
General Lee then stated that the Government would go ahead with the coalition government even if the Communist Party would not join. The New China Party and certain elements in the Democratic League will participate in forming the coalition government. On the other hand the Communist Party could also have its own assembly. However the Chinese people think that the chance for peace after the capture of Kalgan by the Government would be greater because they believe that the Soviet Government then would exert pressure on the Chinese Communist Party for peace for fear of losing more territory.
General Marshall asked why the Communists are willing to lose so much rather than participate in Dr. Stuart’s group. To this General Lee replied that the Communists thought although they are losing cities they are not losing strength. They felt that the Government does not have enough troops to defend all the places. The Communist troops will attack the weak points. General Marshall expressed doubts however whether the Communists could afford to lose so many big and rich cities. General Marshall added that the Communists were probably deceived by their own propaganda.
[Page 200]General Lee then submitted to General Marshall a memorandum65 (attached) in which a committee was suggested to discuss the necessary preparations for either the success or the failure of the peace negotiations. General Marshall commented that it would be better if a group of non-party people could be organized to discuss the various points in the memorandum. He asked who would head the committee. General Lee suggested Dr. Wu I-Feng.66 General Marshall agreed to the choice but asked what others are qualified. General Lee then suggested a list of names, including Mr. Peng, banker in Nanking; Mr. Huang, a member of the Democratic League and well known in China; General Li Chieh-sheng, former Governor of Kwangtung; Dr. Hwang, vice Minister of Education; Dr. Hu Shih, former Chinese Ambassador to the United States; and Mr. Hu Lin, editor of the Ta Kung Pao.
General Marshall doubted the practicability of participation on this committee by Government officials, because it might prove to be prejudicial to their positions. He agreed that Mr. Hu Lin, the editor of the Ta Kung Pao is an exceptionally qualified person.
General Lee stated that his sole interest was to increase the efficiency of the Government, no matter who is in the Government. General Marshall commented that all improvements in a one party government are superficial and that the only efficiency of democracy is developed from the pressure exerted on the party in power by another minority party. Every government would deteriorate if it were controlled by one party only. General Marshall further stated that the main trouble in China now is the lack of opposition from a strong and powerful minority party.
General Lee further suggested Mister Li Lih Shan67 also be considered to head this proposed committee. Mister Li was a bitter enemy of Chairman Mao, but now is working in Manchuria. He returned from Russia recently, possibly for two purposes; one, he may have some verbal understanding with the Soviet to establish peace in China, and two, if war should develop and the Communist Party should lose, Mister Li still could hold part of Manchuria in favor of the Russian Government. However, General Lee expressed the opinion that Mister Li had been away from China too long and therefore, at the present time, Chairman Mao is much more influential among the Chinese Communists.
General Marshall then stated that he would take up this proposal with Doctor Stuart.