Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., to General Marshall
367. Instructions for Executive Headquarters regarding the entry of field teams into Manchuria have finally been agreed upon. General Chang Chih Chung, General Chou En-Lai who got back from Yenan this afternoon, and I attended a 4-hour meeting beginning at 2100 this evening at which we reached the following agreement:
“Field teams, with carefully selected personnel, will be sent into Manchuria immediately under the following instructions:
- 1.
- The mission of the teams will pertain solely to readjustment of military matters.
- 2.
- The teams should operate within the areas of the Government troops as well as the Communist troops, keeping clear of places still under Russian occupation.
- 3.
- Teams should proceed to points of conflict or close contact between the Government and Communist troops to bring about a cessation of fighting and to make necessary and fair readjustment.”
It was also agreed to enter as matter of record into the minutes of the conference that “separate discussion will be held on Manchurian political matters to reach an early settlement. As to military matters, they will be further discussed by the Committee of Three.” We will have another meeting at 1600, 26th March for the purpose of signing the agreement and issuing press release. Teams have been alerted. Special instructions dictated prior to your departure have been sent today45 by separate eyes only radio.
- March 24.↩