800.24/10–245
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 18.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit the minutes of the forty-third weekly meeting of representatives of United States Government agencies in Chungking held at the Chancery on September 25, 1945, at 10 a.m. Mr. Walter S. Robertson, Chargé d’Affaires a. i., presided, and Mr. M. H. Walker, Assistant Commercial Attaché, acted as secretary.
Remarks by General Stratemeyer
Lieutenant General G. E. Stratemeyer, Commanding General, Army Air Forces, China Theater, now serving as Commanding General of the China Theater in the absence of Lieutenant General A. C. Wedemeyer, was invited to meet with representatives of civilian agencies and to make any remarks he desired on current developments affecting United States Army forces and activities in the theater. He explained the primary purpose of such activities in China as now being to protect United States lives and property and to assist the Chinese in the redeployment of their armed forces in order to occupy areas formerly held by the Japanese, also to advise and assist the Chinese with respect to getting Japanese troops out of the theater. He expressed satisfaction with the progress already made in moving Chinese troops to Shanghai and Nanking by air. By September 22, 18,000 troops had been moved from Liuchow to Shanghai and 22,000 had been carried from Chihkiang to Nanking. On this date the ATC had completed 22 percent of its assignment and the Tenth Air Force had moved 62 percent of its quota.
Another important function has been the rescue of prisoners of war and the rendering of assistance to civilian internees. General Stratemeyer stated that all prisoners of war have been evacuated. With [Page 574] respect to assisting civilian internees, a problem has arisen regarding the carrying of supplies to those internees who elected to stay either at internment camps or in adjacent areas. The Air Force has been requested to continue to move in supplies for these people. The view has been taken, however, that after the initial shipment of humanitarian supplies, such as medicines and essential foods, no further supplies would be transported. The Air Force feels that it has done its job with respect to civilian internees, especially towards those of other than American and Chinese nationalities.
The Army is seeking to assist wherever possible in the protection of American property until the rightful owners can get protection thereof.
General Stratemeyer stated that the Theater Headquarters will be established in Shanghai by October 15. This does not mean that the Chungking headquarters will have been moved bag and baggage to Shanghai by that date. A very minimum group will go to Shanghai to do the job for the theater which is essential to be done there. A large liaison group will remain in Chungking in order to continue relations directly with the Chinese Government. General Stratemeyer said that the moving of headquarters to Shanghai was against the advice of many persons, but that it was felt that the army’s job in many respects could be better done there than in remote Chungking.
Assistance to Civilian Agencies
General Stratemeyer stated that in the Army’s program and activity it had been necessary to place first things first from the military standpoint, and only then to consider help to civilian agencies. By November 1, it is expected to have transported four Chinese armies numbering 140,000 men, together with equipment. Upon completion of this assignment, many airplanes and combat crews will be “war weary”, but a fairly strong air force will be left to be used as General Wedemeyer directs. Speaking as Commanding General of the Army Air Forces in the China Theater, General Stratemeyer stated that those forces would remain as long as General Wedemeyer believes that they can be of help, and directives to remain are received from the War Department.
General Stratemeyer said that when army headquarters are established in Shanghai, the army will want to provide every assistance to civilian agencies when they move to the coast with respect to such matters as messing and billeting. General Stratemeyer concluded with a tribute to General Wedemeyer and an expression of appreciation for the close teamwork which has existed between the army and civilian agencies in this theater.
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Respectfully yours,