Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Record of a Meeting Between Dr. Stuart and General Yu Ta-wei Thursday Morning, August 22, 194683
Dr. Stuart stated that the main purpose of his discussion with General Yu was to ascertain whether or not the Generalissimo’s five points still held firm. Dr. Stuart pointed out to General Yu that there had almost been a complete solution and that it was very important that we continue to explore all possibilities as long as there was any hope for peace.
General Yu stated that since the Communists had come down in force against the Lunghai railway, the whole military situation had changed so that even a complete Communist acceptance of the Generalissimo’s five points probably would not help matters materially. However, the Generalissimo appeared willing to try to settle political differences. When pinned down, General Yu stated his interpretation was that the Generalissimo wanted to continue the fighting while, at the same time, efforts are continued toward a settlement of political differences. General Yu emphasized again the Generalissimo’s [Page 66] desires that everyone, including General Marshall, guard against intimating that he (The Generalissimo) wanted, or was willing, to take the initiative in proposing the establishment of the State Council. The Generalissimo wanted to avoid giving the Communists the opportunity to come back at the Government on some proposition to the effect that there would be Communist participation in the State Council but no participation or equality in the Executive Yuan.
Dr. Stuart considered it would then be a good idea to explore the political approaches to matters pertaining to the State Council and expressed the hope that if political differences were settled, both sides would have a better understanding even though the military situation remained unchanged. From his meeting of yesterday with General Chou, he thought General Chou was willing to take up matters pertaining to the State Council and to permit everything else, such as problems concerning the Executive Yuan, to come up in due time. But he was insistent that there should be a clear understanding as to “the five points”.
Dr. Stuart stated it took General Yu a long time to come out with an interpretation of the Generalissimo’s views to the effect that fighting should continue at the same time as the efforts toward settlement of political differences. General Yu apparently felt there was no chance for peace, talked very pessimistically and discussed some of the implications of Russia as a menace to China.
General Yu reiterated the Generalissimo’s old arguments for the presentation of the five points. The only new argument was that the 5 points constitute essentially a bargaining position for the Government. The Generalissimo is apparently willing to accept Communist action in Manchuria as “Fait-accompli”. He is willing to concede the 2½ provinces involved in Manchuria to the Communists although stamping it as a violation of the PCC agreements. He does this provided that the Communists are willing to accept the purchase price. The price that he has established are the five points. Dr. Stuart stated that it had never been presented to him in this form before.
The problem now confronting Dr. Stuart was how should he answer General Chou this afternoon on the matter of these five points. He thought perhaps it would be better to deal with them as something quite apart from his small committee handling the establishment of a State Council.
When leaving, Dr. Stuart added as a sort of a postscript the fact that General Yu wanted to know what happened in the discussion between Dr. T. V. Soong and General Marshall. Apparently the Generalissimo has asked T. V. Soong to talk to Chou on general [Page 67] principles and not on details. He (Dr. Stuart) feels that T. V. Soong will only obstruct negotiations and not help. T. V. Soong is a brusque individual while General Chou is a clever debater. Yesterday afternoon, T. V. Soong told Philip Fugh84 that he was anxious to have a part in the Marshall–Stuart negotiations. Dr. Stuart does not welcome this idea and wishes it had not been brought up.