Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Far East, China, Volume VII

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commanding General, United States Forces, China Theater (Wedemeyer)

[Washington,] 14 December 1945.

Warx 88636. The following directive is based on the United States China policy approved by the President in December 1945.⁹⁸ It supersedes Warx 51593 of 24 October 1944,⁹⁹ Warx 47513 of 10th August 1945,¹ and such other directives as are in conflict herewith. It also constitutes a directive to CinCPac and CinCAFPac² concerning their responsibilities with reference to China Theater operations.

1. Boundaries.

China Theater comprises China proper including Manchuria, Formosa, Hainan Island, and any other areas such as North Indo-China for which Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek has responsibility to the Allied Powers for the disarmament and the deportation of Japanese.

2. Command.

All U. S. Army Forces in the China Theater are under the command of ComGen China except certain units such as the Air Transport Command which operate in accordance with existing directives. Present arrangements with respect to command and control of Navy and Marine units operating within or adjacent to China Theater remain in effect.

3. Mission.

a. The mission of ComGen China is to advise and assist the Chinese National Government in the disarmament and deportation of Japanese from the China Theater and in the re-establishment of control over areas of China liberated from the Japanese, including Manchuria, Formosa and Hainan Island. ComGen China is responsible for coordination with the National Government of the planning and execution of all U. S. operations in the China Theater.

b. U. S. assistance in the accomplishment of the foregoing may include the transport of Chinese National Government troops to Manchuria and may include logistical support thereof, providing Chinese resources have been used to the practicable maximum. Further U. S. transportation of Chinese troops to North China, other than for those en route to Manchuria, will not be undertaken except upon specific instructions from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In carrying out movements, North China ports will not be used except as necessary for the movement of troops and supplies into Manchuria.

c. ComGen China will put into effect stepped-up arrangements for the deportation of Japanese from the China Theater.

d. Incidental effects of U. S. assistance upon any dissident Chinese elements will be avoided in so far as possible. Beyond these incidental effects U. S. support will not extend to U. S. military intervention to influence the course of any Chinese internal strife, except as necessary to protect U. S. lives and property.

4. Priorities.

ComGen China will set the priorities for the allocation within the China Theater of resources made available for the accomplishment of his mission.

5. Relation between Theaters.

a. CinCAFPac. SCAP is charged by the Allied Powers with effectuating the Japanese surrender. CinCAFPac, insofar as is compatible with the execution of his own mission, will assist ComGen China in carrying out the mission given in paragraph 3 above. Mutual liaison will be maintained between headquarters to insure maximum coordination.

b. CinCPac. CinCPac is responsible for Navy support to China Theater operations in accordance with instructions issued by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Navy Department. Mutual liaison will be maintained between the appropriate headquarters.

6. Dealings with Chinese Forces and Chinese agencies in the China Theater, other than those of the National Government, will be strictly limited to requirements of the military situation. Points in China liberated by U. S. Forces will be turned over only to agencies and forces accredited by the National Government of China.

7. In so far as permitted by military considerations, surrenders of Japanese Forces in China will be to the Generalissimo or his representatives. U. S. Commanders may, at the discretion of ComGen China and with the approval of the Generalissimo, accept temporarily for the Generalissimo local surrenders of Japanese Forces.

98. See statement of December 15, p. 770.
99. Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. vi, p. 178.
1. Ante, p. 527.
2. Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, and Commander in Chief, U. S. Army Forces in the Pacific, respectively.