Office of the Historian

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Memorandum by General Chou En-lai to General Marshall

Nanking, May 22, 1946.

My Dear General Marshall: In connection with the rediversion of the Yellow River, I have had a conference with Messrs. Ray and Todd of UNRRA on May 18, 1946. At that conference we reached a six-point oral agreement, which I now put in writing and present to you for your reference.

Faithfully yours,

[Signature in Chinese]
(
Chou En-lai
)
[Enclosure]

The Oral Agreement on the Yellow River Problem Reached by Messrs. Franklin Ray and Todd, and General Chou En-lai

1.
The work of dyke repair and bed improvement of the old River course should immediately be commenced despite all sorts of difficulties.
2.
All materials and foodstuff needed for the completion of this work will be provided by UNRRA and the flow of supply shall not be affected by political and military factors.
3.
An office for managing the supply of materials and foodstuff shall be established in Hotze (Tsaochow) by CNRRA, in which the Chinese Communist Party shall participate.
4.
The relief work for the displaced inhabitants now staying in the old bed of the Yellow River shall be governed by a committee organized by three sides: two members each from the Government and the Chinese Communist Party, and one each from UNRRA and CNRRA.
5.
Up to June 15 no channel shall be dug to the bed of the old course below Huayangkow; the Pian–Hsin Railroad (from Kaifeng to Hsin-hsiang) and the highway parallel to it shall not be pulled up. From June 15 onward consideration shall be given to the progress made in the work in the lower stream and agreement shall be made by both sides before any change to them be effected.
6.
The work of laying trestles is to be continued. Whether the work of piling rocks will be started or not depends on the progress made thus far in the work along the lower stream up to June 15, 1946, and decision thereon shall be made through agreement by both sides. If decision is made to pile the rocks, the thickness of the rock layer thus piled up shall not surpass two meters.

Note: The consideration given to “the progress made in the work in the lower stream”, mentioned in the above two items, implies that the principle: “no overflooding will be caused in the lower stream” be obeyed.