Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall
4057. The report quoted your 87791 sent to both Chou En-lai and Yenan by General Yeh was also given to press by Communist PRO92 [Page 1057] without consulation or knowledge of other branches. Barbara Stevens, American representative of Agence France Presse, known for her pro-communist reporting, was first called and given “scoop”. Her article radioed to Shanghai through USIS facilities began:
“General Tu Yu-Ming, commander Generalissimo’s Peace Corps, Manchuria, has announced complete abrogation 15-day truce agreement as of yesterday 10 stating Nationalist Armies will renew advances Manchuria; official Communist Executive Headquarters spokesman stated today quoting official notification which he said received today from Government Branch Executive Headquarters.”
Mastersen, Associated Press, after appearance of Stevens article, interviewed Communists and was given same story. Later becoming suspicious he checked with National Government and American branches and radioed correction.
General Tsai has been severely queried by Generalissimo who has been given impression that he, Tsai, was responsible for conveying alleged statement of Tu Yu-Ming to Communist branch. Tsai immediately requested commissioners’ meeting. Three-hour session yesterday afternoon with all concerned present revealed following: (1) Colonel Lei, Communist representative conflict control group, insisted that General Chen Yu, National Government representative same group, made the statement as reported by Lei to General Yeh. (2) National Government representative stated he had merely warned that if Communists did not cease attacks at Lafa General Tu Yu-Ming has stated he would be compelled to take retaliatory action. (3) American representative conflict control group corroborated statement of National Government representative. Both American members present at meeting where remark was made stated that it precipitated no unusual discussion at time. Both reiterated that there was nothing to indicate that adjournment of meeting had any connection with this statement. (4) Chiang’s PEO admitted he reported incident to press “as background information”. (5) General Tsai, who was not present at conflict control group meeting and did not know of incident until queried by Generalissimo, indignantly demanded apology and retraction by Communists. Communists refused.
American comment: Colonel Lei, whether intentionally or unintentionally made false report to General Yeh and Communist PRO. The widespread dissemination of the report by Communist PRO in violation of Executive Headquarters’ rules which require joint press releases on official Executive Headquarters business and Communist refusal to make retraction or correction indicate they welcome the political capital afforded possibly as a diversion of attention from their recent widespread [reports?] of truce violations in North Central China.