Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall
4438. At Commissioners’ meeting Saturday afternoon Commissioners agreed to immediate dispatch of team to Tsingtao. The National Government guarantees safety of team personnel. Until evacuation by Communists of Shantung cities attacked and occupied since June 6, radio facilities for team will be restricted to use of American equipment. General Yeh advised that Yenan had approved sending team under these conditions.
It was further agreed in principle that a wholesale evacuation would be ordered by both sides of all towns and cities attacked and occupied by their forces since January 13th. Each branch is preparing list to be submitted to commissioners at early date. Agreement may be difficult in borderline cases but it is hoped that constructive results can be achieved.
New subject: General Yeh reported to meeting Yenan had advised that, if investigation disclosed Communist responsibility for killing of National Government team member on June 11 and killing and wounding of 2 National Government members on June 19, stern punishment would be meted to offenders and proper compensation awarded families. He also stated Yenan had informed him of plot attributed to high Peiping official to (1) take retaliatory measures against high-ranking Communist personnel in Executive Headquarters, and (2) organize uprising of students for which Communists would be blamed and arrests ordered. Yeh stated he had sent this report to General Chou for your information. He requested National Government Commissioner to take effective measures to prevent such occurrences. National Government Commissioner stated he could not believe such a plot existed and assured General Yeh that he, General Cheng, considered himself to be personally responsible for the safety of all Headquarters personnel.
Discussions throughout meeting were friendly and objective.