Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall
4245. This reply is Reurad 928. Our plan which we are implementing is as follows:
Phase A: Part 1. Seek three-way agreement of Commissioners to send team to Tsingtao immediately (U. S. members of team are being alerted).
Part 2. Confidentially inform U. S. members of teams in affected area of situation.
Phase B: Part 1. Later obtain three-way agreement to place all teams in the Shantung area on an active operational basis (all teams in this area are presently inactive except 4 and 22 because of Branch members being absent, refusal of members to act, or members under restriction).
Part 2. Seek agreement to give temporary cease fire power to Communications teams in Shantung area.
Phase C: Reinforce field team in Tsingtao and Hsuchow with additional field teams and be prepared to reinforce the team at Tsinan. Reinforcement will be provided by rearrangement of teams in the Shantung area and transfer of teams from other less critical areas. Timing of this reinforcement will depend upon the degree of success in obtaining agreements in phases A and B.
Comment: At 5 o’clock this afternoon Cheng Kai-min submitted message from Hsu Yung Chang addressed to the Executive Hqs advising that the government is sending 54th Army to Tsingtao and 73rd Army to Tsinan. It was stated the transfer was necessitated by considerations of defense as a result of recent widespread attacks by Communists in Shantung area. Immediately contacted Cheng Kai-min, pressing him to agree to dispatch of team to Tsingtao. He was most adamant at first in refusing but finally said if I insisted he would concur. His initial refusal was based on the inefficiency of our teams in preventing the Communist attacks and in effecting evacuation of towns illegally occupied. General Yeh (Communist Branch) could not be located but we are meeting formally tomorrow morning June 20 in effort to reach agreement. In this connection the Communists have for six weeks obstructed our efforts to get a team to Tsingtao. Possibly new situation will remove their objections. In event of failure to get agreement at morning meeting the problem will be referred to Committee of Three if you deem it wise.
Postscript: General Rockey43 informed Timberman this afternoon of report from Marines at Tsingtao which estimated 15,000 troops of 54th Army have already closed in Tsingtao area.