893.00/11–1245: Telegram
The Consul at Tientsin (Meyer) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—10:05 p.m.]
36. A definite plan as to the future has been temporarily relieved by Wedemeyer’s statement that Marines would not be withdrawn until disarming and repatriation of Japanese troops is completed. Japanese troops in North China area number 326,000 of whom only a few have [been] repatriated. Japanese civilians in same area number slightly more. Koreans in Peiping–Tientsin area number about 30,000 and it is essential to our interests that Marines remain until major part of repatriation of Japanese and Koreans has been completed.
With exception of the railway between Peiping and Tientsin, ordinary rail service practically nonexistent in North China. Communists are looting trains, planting mines, removing rails, burning sleepers and destroying roadbed on big scale. Isolated sniping at American Marines believed deliberate, they hope cause their withdrawal. Communists are strengthening unfortified 46 (?) area and are becoming more intransigeant.
Chungking troops which were to have been landed Yingkow from American transport Everett Marsh landed at Chinwangtao. Clashes have already occurred between them and local Communists in that area. Sent to the Department and repeated to Chungking and Shanghai.