Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
General Marshall to Mr. Walter S. Robertson, at Peiping
928. Com[mander] Seventh Fleet13 reports information from a Maritime Customs Port Captain to the effect that 14 ships with Chinese troops embarked on a “sub rosa” troop movement during Saturday darkness and Sunday darkness. General Ting and Mayor Li confirmed this movement and further stated 54th C[hinese] N[ational] A[rmy] was moving to protect Tsingtao water supply. Ting also reported Chimo completely surrounded by Communists.
In addition to this information from Admiral Cooke, General Yu Ta Wei informed me this morning that the 54th Army was moving to Tsingtao and the 73rd Army to Tsinanfu. These movements could not have come at a worse time insofar as my negotiations are concerned. It will probably take the best efforts of several good Field Teams to keep this situation from getting out of hand. Please give me a brief outline of your plan to meet this situation.14