Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Memorandum by Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., to the Chinese Minister of War (Chen Cheng)
My Dear General Chen: On the evening of April 2nd I received, from General Chou En-lai, a communication70 with reference to an incident involving Government forces which occurred at Yenan at 10 AM on April 1st.
General Chou reports that, and I quote, “8 fighting planes with Kuomintang insignia came over Yenan, flying at a low altitude and in a demonstrative manner, and they did not get away until half an hour later. On this account, I am instructed to lodge a strong protest to the governmental military authority, with a view to finding out its true intention, and securing assurance that no similar accident will happen henceforth”.
General Chou further states that since the departure of General Chang Chih-chung, the governmental military representative, he had not yet been informed as to who will be his successor. Therefore, he forwarded this protest to me with a request that I, being the representative of General Marshall, will kindly transmit it to the Government.
In connection with the above request, I had previously informed General Chou that I had been informed verbally that you would represent the Government on the Committee of Three. I am therefore, at his request, transmitting this information to you for such action as you deem appropriate insofar as the planes are concerned, and such explanation as you deem necessary to General Chou.
I shall appreciate your assistance in this matter in view of General Chou’s request.
Very sincerely,
- Not printed.↩