Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-03-17

agreements we have reached
Therefore, it is most important tina
we have these teams appear in tina
country as quickly as possible"
While the primary function O
the American officers on the team!
will be to help stop fighting between
the Chinese factions in Manchuria
they will have opportunity to pro.
vide the first direct information Il
Gen. Marshall and Washington Off.
Gals on just what is going on ovel
wide areas where Soviet troop.
have been stationed:
Troop Movements Independent.
The movement of Chinese gov
eminent troops to Manchuria is in
dependent of the peacemakine
teams.
Reference to the Chinese army
movement came during an explana-
ton by Gen. Marshall Of how the
$50 government divisions and the
/ 100000 men of the Communist
forces are to be integrated into one
Chinese army Of 60 divisions after
large-scale rehabilitation.
He said many of the troops are
not well equipped and trained but
that Chang Kai-shek has 80 divi-
sions which were developed under
American aid, both as to materiel
and instruction. Leading units of
these divisions, he said, are veterans
of the Burma campaign.
He recalled that the unity agree
ment provides that government
troops are to engage in any move
ment necessary to restore Chinese
sovereignty in Manchuria.
{ Gen. Marshall talked and an
swered questions for nearly an hour
at news conference arranged at
the State Department "a hours after
his arrival here Friday for consul
tation with President Truman and
Secretary of State Byrnes. He said
he soon would 60 back to China,
where he has met understanding
cooperation" in his efforts to pro-
mote unity.
He refused to answer only one
question-about the extent of Amer
lean responsibility to China. A re-
porter suggested there will be
quite a long period of transition
in which China will be in a state
of vulnerability," and asked lis it
your understanding that the United
States should take the responsibility
for protecting her during that
period?"
Refers Question to Byrnes.
Gen. Marshal referred the ques-
toner to Secretary of State Byrnes,
remarking that he was going to STAY
within his sphere.
At another point he emphasized
however. that the United States
does have "a vital interest in a
stable government in China" He
said he is not sure the American
people or their political leaders
understand this-that it is mot Just
a question Of friendship for China, u
but that stability in China is an
important part of firm foundation
for peace in the Pacific.
Declaring that the Chinese effort
to achieve political unity and eco
nomic advances Should command
the cooperation of the entire
world Gen. Marshall said he be-
lieved the United States-which
puts no price on its friendship
sis the best able to render material
assistance"
Il do not believe any nation can
find justification for suspicion as
to our motives in China" he added.
I'VE are asking for no special pref
erences Of any kind whatsoever, re-
garding economic or similar mat
ters."
China's most urgent need in the
way Of economic assistance, Gen.
Marshall said, is for equipment to
build up a transportation system
for distributing food and for food
to relieve famine conditions devel-
oping in several provinces. He said
he also expected to discuss other
financial questions while here.