Telegram from John Leighton Stuart to Secrertary of State George C. Marshall

INCOMING TELEGRAM DEPARTMENT OF STATE-DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS TELEGRAPH BRANCH H TOR Action: FE Info: 63. TRENAN 475 SS CORRECTED COPY DCR RECORDS SERVICE AMD 11/15/48 2:42 p.m. LOG CORRECTIONS UNDERSCORED Control 4896 Rec'd Nov. 15, 1948 8:18 a.m. FROM: Nanking TO: Secretary of State NO: 2220, November 15, 6 p.m. Li Tsung-Jer called me in for long conversation last week, gist of which was: Generalissimo is staying on against best interests of nation and wishes of people; he is greatly influenced by US attitude; he should be told that US Government feels that he would be best serving cause of his people if he withdrew from office now before complete military defeat, making way for new non-Communist leadership in government and country; that such new leadership would need unequivocal American support and that it could rally support of south and western China effectively enough to keep Commies north of Zingtze. (See Shanghai S telegram 1800, November 10, repeated Department 2377). On fourteenth Vice President sent confidential emissary to me to renew his case and to express extreme urgency of action now. If present situation were allowed to run its course he pointed out he would lose any political influence which he might now enjoy or expect to acquire by voluntary departure ofGeneralissimo and there would `be nothing left for him to do but retire to his home in Kwangsi. We feel that President's reply to Generalissimo (DEPTEL 1608, November 12) may have effect of demonstrating to latter limited extent of our further support of him thus responding in part to Li Tsung-Jen's request. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (7) With D.pt. of State letter, A 7-15-25 By NLT- He NARS Date 9.13.26 OLGRET INFORMATION COPY