Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East: China, Volume IX

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Draft of Agreement To Insure the More Expeditious Functioning of Executive Headquarters²³

[Nanking, May 30, 1946.]

We, the Committee of Three, are authorized to announce, with the approval of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Chairman Mao Tse-tung,²⁴ the following terms to provide a basis for the more expeditious functioning of Executive Headquarters.

a. The American Commissioner at Executive Headquarters is empowered with final decision in case of disagreements on matters referred to it by field teams or field team chairmen concerning the cessation of hostilities, the restoration of communications and the demobilization, integration and reorganization of the Chinese armies.

b. The senior American representative at Changchun is empowered with the final decision in case of disagreements regarding immediate arrangements and matters in Manchuria pertaining to the cessation of hostilities.

c. The American member of a field team of the Executive Headquarters is empowered with the final decision in case of disagreements in matters pertaining to where, when and how the teams should proceed, who they should see and decisions covering the local situation.

These terms apply only to matters of a military nature. Decisions by an American regarding political matters are excluded unless specifically stipulated by later agreement.

23. Prepared by General Marshall, who handed a copy on May 30 to Gen. Chou En-lai. Copy also sent to Gen. Hsu Yung-chang, Chinese National Government representative on the Committee of Three.
24. Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.