The China White Paper 1949 (XXVI)

General Marshall temporarily withdrew from the mediation over the Manchurian problems. Yet he still maintained a dialogue with the two parties. The situation in Manchuria was made difficult by Chiang’s insistence that Communists had to evacuate from Changchun (長春). On May 23, 1946 Chiang visited Mukden (瀋陽) using General Marshall’s airplane. In the public eyes, for Chiang this had the political effect of creating the impression of a close relationship between Chiang and Marshall, and such an effect, according to the White Paper, would later set in motion a series of disastrous happenings over the relationship between the Nationalist and the Communists. Following the withdrawal of the Communists, the Nationalist troops finally entered Changchun on May 23rd. The timing of the event further added to the good public image of Chiang as it created the impression that Chiang was in full control of the situation militarily. After entering Changchun, the Government troops continued to advance north, such an action further increased the suspicion of the Communists and they doubted whether General Marshall was holding an impartial position.1 (to be continued)

Note:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 155.