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THE MISSION OF GENERAL OF THE ARMY GEORGE C.
  MARSHALL TO CHINA TO ARRANGE FOR CESSATION
  OF CIVIL STRIFE AND TO BRING ABOUT POLITICAL
  UNIFICATION
                   (Continued from Volume IX)
XII. MARSHALL-STUART STATEMENT OF AUGUST 10; PRESIDENT
TRUMAN'S MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT CHIANG KAI-SHEK; UN-
SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH FIVE-MAN COMMITTEE TO
SET UP STATE COUNCIL; CONTINUED FAILURE TO BRING ABOUT
CEASE-FIRE (AUGUST 10-SEPTEMBER 29, 1946)
893.00/8-1646
     Joint Statement by General Marlshall and Dr. Stuart1
  General Marshall and Doctor Stuart have been exploring together
every possibility for terminating the present growing conflict in China
and for the initiation of the preliminary steps in the development
of a truly democratic form. of government. The desire for a peaceful
solution to the political problems appears practically unanimous on
the part of the people. The economic situation demands a prompt
solution if a disastrous collapse is to be avoided. The fighting is daily
growing more widespread and threatens to engulf the country and
pass beyond the control of those responsible. Both the Government
and the Communist leaders are anxious to put an end to the fighting
but there are certain issues concerned in the immediate settlements
involved regarding which an agreement has not been found. It
appears impossible for the 2 parties to-reach a settlement of these issues
which would permit a general order to be issued for the complete
cessation of hostilities in all of China. Certain of the unsettled issues
relate to the military redispositions of troops. However, these
apparently present less difficulty of settlement than a more funda-
mental issue concerning the character of local or country governments
to be maintained in the regions which will be evacuated as a result of
the military redisposition pending a basic decision in such matters
by the Constitutional Assembly.
AUGUST 10, 1946.
1Released to the press at Nanking on August 10. Copy transmitted to the
Department by the Ambassador in despatch No. 52, August 16; received
September 5.