Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Memorandum by General Marshall to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek
Your Excellency: There has been brought to my attention your views regarding the supplying of certain equipment for the school to be organized at Kalgan for the preparation of Communist divisions for integration, and the eventual distribution of this equipment among the 10 Communist divisions selected for integration into armies during the final six months of the program.
There are two special considerations involved in this matter. First, the origin of the school and second, the procurement of equipment from the United States.
The school had its origin in a suggestion made by me to General Chou En-lai: In the negotiations for the integration of the armies, the Communists steadily maintained that the earliest moment for actual integration would be at the end of the first 12 months. This was unacceptable, in my opinion, because too many changes might occur in the period of a year and I regarded it as very important that the earliest possible start be made to bring Communist troops under a unified command. I had first proposed that the actual integration into armies should commence in the 4th month. However, as I gradually learned of the character of the Communist troops—their lack of formal organization, lack of trained staff and lack of normal equipment—I came to the conclusion that a possible explanation of the reluctance of the Communists to undertake integration earlier than 12 months was due to their appreciation of the difficulties to present a division at an earlier date in a state of organization and appearance that would not involve serious loss of face. I therefore experimented by suggesting to General Chou En-lai that it might be possible to arrange for an elementary school for some company officers and higher commanders and their staffs at some point within the Communist zone of occupation, in which a short course would be given by American officers to prepare the Communist officers concerned to effect the formal organization of their troops into regiments and divisions that could at least march and parade in a presentable manner. It was stated that tactical training for field operations was not the purpose of such a school and could not be undertaken.
General Chou En-lai flew to Yenan the morning following the suggestion and came back with approval for the proposal and, what was more important, the agreement to start the integration in the 7th month instead of the 13th month. The proposal was discussed in [Page 336] the negotiations of the Military Sub-Committee, of which I was the advisor, and received formal approval, I thought, at that time.
It was plainly evident to me that without such assistance the Communists themselves could not get together their people in an acceptable state of organization in the month specified—the 7th—for the initiation of integration. At the same time I thought it was of high importance that the integration begin at that time and not be delayed.
Such a school requires certain equipment, otherwise it is without purpose, therefore, the urgent necessity for procurement of such equipment in time to get the school promptly started. There follows a statement of the complications and considerations involved in that procurement.
Unless the necessary materiel for such a school is landed in China prior to June 30th, next, there is no hope, I think, of bringing the transaction under lend-lease and it therefore would not only be a complicated procedure but very expensive. I, therefore, while in Washington, made a special effort to arrange for the shipment of the equipment from Japan, the deficit being made up from the United States, all to be landed in Shanghai prior to June 30th. Some 600 tons has already arrived. Now I find your instructions which would terminate that procedure. This would also definitely terminate the implementation of the agreements for the reorganization and integration of the armies and this, of course, would be a very serious matter.
I am submitting this statement in writing in order that you may have a general understanding of the situation prior to a personal discussion I would like to have with you in regard to the matter.