Chinese Communists Frustrate Marshall

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1947, Page 5

Chinese Communists Frustrate Marshall

(Received 11.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 7. THE White House has released a personal statement by the U.S. Ambassador to China. (General Marshall) who is leaving Nanking tomorrow to report to President Truman.

General Marshall'said that sincere efforts to achieve a settlement between the Government and Communist forces had been frustrated time and again by extremists on both sides.

The salvation of China could be achieved if Liberals in the Government and minority parties assumed leadership.

Ihe greatest obstacle to peace had been the complete and almost overwhelming suspicion with* which the Communist Party and the Kuomintang regarded each other. In the National Government, which was, in effect, the Kuomintang Party, a dominant group of reactionaries opposed almost every effort he made to influence formation of a coalition Government. RELY ON ARMS They frankly were of opinion that cooperation by the Communist Party within the Government was inconceivable and only force could settle the issue. Among Communists there was a definite liberal group, but dyed-in-the-wool Communists did not hesitate at the most drastic measures to gain their end. They completely distrusted the Kuomintang leaders. Communist Party propaganda had been harmful and provocative. '“I wish to state to the American people that, in deliberate misrepresentation and abuse of the actions, policies and purposes of our Government, this propaganda has been without regard for truth,” he said. “It has given plain evidence of a determined purpose to mislead the Chinese people and the world and to arouse bitter hatred of Americans.”

l General Marshall said that reactionaries in the Government evidently counted on substantial American support, regardless of their actions. j MILITARY DOMINATE Referring to Kuomintang groups who were interested in the preservation of their own feudal control of China, General Marshall said: "Although I speak as a soldier I must here also deplore the dominating influence of the military which accentuates the weakness of the civil Government in China." Referring to the Communists General Marshall said that by thenunwillingness to compromise in the national interest, and regardless of suffering caused to the Chinese people, they were evidently counting on economic collapse, accelerated by guerilla warfare, to bring about the fall of the Government. General Marshall added that the National Assembly had adopted a democratic constitution, but it remained to be seen to what extent the Governmen wouid genuinely welcome all groups, including Communists, to participate in the responsibility for China’s future LIBERALISING INFLUENCE The Peiping correspondent of Associated Press says General Marshall has been an outstanding influence for democracy within the Kuomintang. Marshal Chiang Kai Shek's recent support of a new liberal constitution was interpreted as a product of General Marshall’s contacts. , General Marshall' also helped to prepare a programme for the reorganisation and nationalisation of China’s armies. This programme may well form the basis for Chiang's future plans. Communists would like to see General Marshall continue as the referee if the United States would cease supporting the Kuomintang and help to persuade Marshal Chiang to give up Communist territory seized since January, 194 G, and to reconvene the National Assembly on agreed upon inter-party lines.

General Marshall added that Government publicists made numerous misrepresentations, though not of a vicious nature, of Communist propaganda.