Office of the Historian

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram

Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall

Peiping, 7 February 1946.

251. The status of Executive Headquarters’ intended policy regarding bandi[ts], irregulars, and puppets is best presented by quoting the document now under consideration by the three commissioners (provisions therein are primarily translated from proposals worked [Page 395] out on operational level and is latest revised copy of that believed carried by Byroade)[:]

“Measures dealing with definition of troops and the responsibilities of Nationalist Government and Communist Party:

All troops, whether they are Nationalist, Communist, regular or irregular, should observe the cease fire order, keep within their original positions, stop fighting so as to assure the realization of peace.

Any troops that violate the cease fire order issued on 10 Jan by launching attacks, no matter whether they are Nationalist, Communist, regular or irregular, should be duly punished according to military laws.

Both the Nationalist and Communist armies should be responsible for the following unit[s]:

a.
The regulars, nationalist-recognized puppets (refer to paragraph 4), local Pacification Corps, anti-Japanese guerrillas and various forces under the Nationalist control.
b.
The 8th route and New 4th armies, Kwan[g]tung anti-Japanese column, Pacification Corps, guerrillas, militia and other armed forces under the leadership of the Communists. The highest Nationalist or Communist commander in any given area should take the responsibility to control those independent troops who have made their contributions to the cessation of civil war and realization of peace (such troops who have ceased civil war voluntarily). The highest commanders of the garrison forces in any given area shall be responsible to control respectively the troops mentioned in a and b to keep them within positions they now occupy. Unless it is agreed by both parties, no troops are allowed to advance beyond that position under any pretext. Acting otherwise, they should be ordered to withdraw to their original positions immediately and the commander of that unit should be duly punished.

Puppet troops will remain in the positions they now occupy and will not move. The Communist troops will maintain their positions as determined by the field teams and will not attack the puppets. This is an interim arrangement only and has been agreed to pending the long-term agreement to be worked out by the Committee of Three in Chungking.”

Comments follow:

1.
If approval this document by 3 commissioners obtained 8 February, it will be furnished as revised to all teams as Executive Headquarters General Directive Nr 3.
2.
The quoted document sets forth an interim policy only pending urgent decision Chungking [on] following essential points:
a.
Final disposition puppet and irregular troops.
b.
Which side will gain control of cities now held by puppets.
c.
Disposition puppet arms and equipment.