Cabinet Meeting Minutes

"NATIONAR CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1948 ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE (Sawyer absent) THE PRESIDENT Raised question of visit to U. S. of Mme Chiang Kai-shek. MARSHALL Issue is should she be barred from country; if not, she will make strong appeal. Will talk to public and press. It may put us in the position of having to refuse further aid to China. The opposition in China will be very upset about her coming to U. S. to exert pressure on behalf of Chiang government which they are seeking to throw out. How- ever she stands as the wife of the President of China. THE PRESIDENT We should not bar her from the country. MARSHALL The Nationalist Government of China is on its way out and there is nothing we can do to save it. We are faced with the question of clarifying the American people and by SO doing deliver the knock out blow to the Nationalist Govt in China - or we can play along with the existing govt and keeping facts from the American people and thereby not be accused later of playing into the hands of the Communists. (Marshall then gave detailed report on actual situation in China ) Marshall recommended that Madame Chiang be allowed full courtesies if she is to come to U. S. THE PRESIDENT Agreed. MARSHALL Switched discussion to European situation. 11:00