Susan in NC’s Reviews > Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-1945 > Status Update

“…American aims were democratic but in practice the executants opted for the old regime. In China the decision was not merely futile; it aligned America in popular eyes with the oppressor and landlord and tax collector, it disheartened the liberal forces and violently antagonized the future rulers. While many suspected that the effort was misguided, American policy could not readjust.”

“ Since the dissolution of wartime alliance with the Soviet Union, innate fear and hate of Communism reasserted itself in America. On that dark yeast, grudge, ambition and vindictiveness could feed, and demagogues grow fat. Hurley opened the journey toward the tawdry reign of terror soon to be imposed with such astonishing ease by Senator Joe McCarthy. The time of hysterics had arrived.”

“ The decision to continue that effort was determined by the new world alignment. No sooner was Fascism defeated than Communism loomed as the new enemy. The presence of Soviet armies in Manchuria and the prospect of their making common cause with the Chinese Communists was now America’s worry despite a formal accord reached by the Russians with Chiang Kai-shek. The dilemma in China sharpened.”

“[Chiang] promised that a formal invitation to visit China would be extended to Stilwell “as soon as the situation of the country becomes normal.”…Stilwell took it as a compliment that “my presence is not desired on the continent of Asia….Maybe CKS thinks I would start a revolution….I would like to do just that.” It was done without him. He was not to see China again.”

“ He was to have the satisfaction, he learned, of taking the formal surrender of the enemy, if not on the grounds of his own battle in Burma at least in the Ryukyus, and of attending the full ceremonial surrender of Japan scheduled for September 2 in Tokyo Bay.”

“ “SO IT IS OVER,” Stilwell recorded…Although it meant that the opportunity to command American troops in battle was gone for good, he shared the immense relief of everyone. No sensible man looked forward to the invasion of Japan. His first thought was for his youngest son just turned eighteen. “I am so thankful we don’t have to throw Ben into the pot,” he wrote to [his wife]”

“August 6 the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima…On August 9 a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. “Revolutionary all right. Human civilization approaching suicide rapidly….Russia plus the bomb should do the trick.” An unanticipated result of the bomb was to provide Japan with a face-saving reason for quick surrender and that development now followed more precipitately than foreseen.”

“…the atomic bomb was successfully but still secretly tested…July 17 to August 2 Truman and Churchill met with Stalin at the Potsdam Conference and summoned Japan to surrender unconditionally or face “prompt and utter destruction.” The ultimatum was rejected by Japan’s military rulers although civilian efforts to reach a negotiated peace through Russia had already been opened with the Emperor’s consent.”

“…MacArthur asked him if he would serve as his Chief of Staff. “Told him No, I fancied myself as a field commander.” MacArthur asked if he would be willing to take an army despite his four stars. Stilwell replied he would take a division to be with troops. “Pooh pooh,” said MacArthur, “if you would take an Army I would rather have you than anyone else I know.””

“The capture of Okinawa obviated the need for the China coast. It was expected that the Japanese army in east and south China would probably be withdrawn to hold the Yangtze valley or reinforce the home islands… No plans for a forced landing in China were drawn. That long-expected climax which had shimmered on the horizon throughout Stilwell’s years in China faded away.”