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

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Minutes of Meeting of Committee of Three at 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, June 24, 1946, 10:35 a.m.

Nanking, June 24, 1946, 10:35 a.m.

Present:	General Yu Ta Wei
	General Chou En-lai
	General Marshall
Also present:	General Kuo
	General Pee
	General Hsu
	Mr. Ling
	Mr. Sah
	Mr. Shih
	General Huang
	General Tung
	General Teng
	Mr. Chang
	Colonel Caughey
	Colonel Hill
	Captain Soong

General Marshall: The meeting will please come to order.

Yesterday when we adjourned, we were discussing paragraph 5. The question had not been settled as to the last sentence reading “However, the Lunghai RR west of Chenghsien and the Peiping–Hankow RR south of Chenghsien are specifically exempted from the program for removal or destruction of military works.” As I recall, the Government proposal was that the word “Hsu Chou” be substituted for the word “Chenghsien” where it reads “However, the Lunghai RR west of Chenghsien”, and that General Chou had stated that he was ready to agree that the destruction of the fortifications, according to the revised terms of paragraph 5, could be delayed along that section until after the resumption of traffic. That, I believe, was the situation at the time we adjourned.

General Yu: I have two suggestions: first, we wait 6 months after resumption of communications on the Lunghai RR before destruction and second, as the matter has some relation to the reorganization and demobilization plan, I propose a tentative wait of four months after the implementation of the reorganization plan before destruction.

General Chou: To simplify the matter, I suggest that destruction take place two months after implementation of the army reorganization plan. I wish we could have such a provision put in. All the questions that you have can then be eliminated for two reasons. First, as General Hsu stated the other day, the present paper and other papers regarding the army reorganization plan will all be signed at once. Second, when the army reorganization plan has been in effect for two months, various troops will be in the process of moving toward the new distribution areas. Therefore, it would in no way interfere with the destruction of the forts the Government is concerned about and the forts can be destroyed at that time.

General Yu: I suggest that I take this matter up with General Chou after this meeting because it embodies the army reorganization plan.

General Marshall: We will suspend discussion of the remaining sentence to be discussed in paragraph 5, which I have already quoted, and proceed to questions on paragraph 6. There was a brief discussion regarding this paragraph yesterday but I think we should start anew and I will ask General Chou for his comments.

General Chou: In order to simplify the bitterness in relation to paragraph 6 so that a speedy conclusion can be reached, I suggest that the first sentence be accepted while the second sentence be deleted. Since it is mentioned in the first sentence, “Before through traffic is permitted over the reopened sectors of the railroads, qualified railroad personnel of the CCP may be taken into the employ of the MOC in accordance with a plan to be determined”, and since many details are involved in that plan, it can be discussed between General Hsu and myself. This should save a lot of discussion here if we can go into details later.

General Marshall: Would that be with the understanding that the determining method, whatever the detailed arrangements, would be the communication team or its equivalent in Executive Headquarters, by a majority vote? I am mentioning this so that we have in the rough at least some idea of how the differences will be composed, whatever the details of method may happen to be.

I am rather puzzled at possibilities of harmonious settlement of selections and I do not want to see that, at some later time here, wreck the remainder of the agreement. Therefore, I am concerned about this statement as to whether there can be a general understanding on that one phase of the matter, the details to be ironed out later. For example, we referred to a similar arrangement at higher headquarters. I do not know just what that would be but from all our experiences with civil service, that is just what this begins to be an example of. It is very hard when there are disputing factions to determine the qualifications of personnel. Presumably, in many instances, both the member of the Government and the member of the Communist party might not be at all experts in regard to the matter involved. In some instances they will be, in others they probably will not be. While I cannot endow the American member with God-given knowledge, he at least is not interested in the Kuomintang Party or the Communist Party. That is very frank talking but I do not want to see the rest of this document tied up on that particular point. I may be quite wrong about both the logic of my idea and the advisability of my mentioning the matter at this time, or ever. I spoke on the spur of the moment. I am going to ask Colonel Hill to express himself very frankly as to whether or not he agrees with me and I would like to have him express his views to the contrary very definitely.

Colonel Hill: There has been prepared and submitted to all three parties concerned, a plan for the administrative control of the railroads. This plan has been in active discussion by members of our Railway Control Section of Executive Headquarters for approximately four months. The plan, I believe, is agreeable to both parties in very general principle but the details certainly have not been agreed to. The basis of that plan is that where there is an applicant from the Chinese Communist Party for an administrative position in the railroads, the qualifications of that applicant shall be determined by a Railway Control team. Certainly, in such cases there would probably be disagreement as to whether or not the applicant was fully qualified and, in such cases, the only possible solution would be to make the American member have the deciding vote.

General Chou: As I stated yesterday, I agree in principle with the first draft of Colonel Hill’s with regard to Communists employed on railways. There are only certain specific matters which I wish to make some study on the Government’s side. These are different points of view on this paper which is now up for discussion. I mention this merely because Colonel Hill referred to the paper. I suggest that as soon as we reach agreement on this particular paper on reopening lines of communication, that we discuss the administrative control. Therefore, I do not think it necessary to have the second sentence of paragraph 6, since that sentence implies only one principle, whereas there are other principles we must take as the basis for administrative control. I think that we should wait for a separate paper on administrative control which will embody several principles. Those principles are, as I stated yesterday, that administrative and operative personnel will be under control of the Minister of Communications. On the other hand, all interested parties will be guaranteed proper prestige on all levels of the railway system, as was explained in Colonel Hill’s original draft. Of course there are many other principles to discuss. That is why it is necessary to mention it in paragraph 6 of the paper on reopening lines of communication. Also, we have to work out the method of selection of Communist personnel on railways and it may depend on what types of personnel they are. As General Marshall just mentioned, in case of disagreement, it could be decided by giving the decisive vote to the American member. All that can be worked out in detail in that separate document. The authority to make examinations up to what levels in the administration is also under my consideration.

General Yu: I believe primary consideration before any decision can be reached must be to find an easy, practicable and exacting way for execution. The points I stress particularly embody practical execution of all these agreements. First, that stipulations in the plan must be clear cut and definite. It is advisable to avoid clauses which will be inter-related to some other paper for execution. Second, that to have a mutual and just understanding of the full extent to which difficulties which are bound to arise in both parties. We have to make stipulations as definite as possible and not dependent on some document not yet discussed which may wreck the whole document.

I will take up Communist difficulties first. If I were to refuse absolutely to take Communist members in the restored sectors into the railway system, I would place General Chou in a very difficult position. Therefore, I proposed yesterday of my own accord that members of the CCP be taken into the employ of the Ministry of Communications in the restored sectors, subject to qualification by examinations. In order to prevent the embarrassing situation of our people trying to prevent the Communists from being employed in these sectors, I was given the power today to state that the railway teams should conduct these examinations.

On the other hand, General Chou will understand my difficulties. I cannot agree to ask the Minister of Communications to take into employment, Communists on all levels in restored sectors. I am not authorized to do that. Participation of Communist personnel on all levels is a general problem. It seems to me it should not be raised in connection with railway administration alone. I therefore propose, with reference to the employment of Communist personnel on railways, to have a definite stipulation in this document that CCP personnel may be taken into the employ of the Ministry of Communications. I agree to make that definite and not make the whole thing dependent on a separate agreement to be reached. The qualification of personnel will be determined by examination. That is just my idea. I am ready to listen to all arguments or statements which General Chou has to make.

General Marshall: Has General Chou any remarks to make?

General Chou: General Yu already stated his view yesterday on this paragraph regarding the employment of railroad personnel. There are two aspects that need consideration. First is the personnel to be employed in the restored section and second is those personnel to be employed in various higher levels which are relevant to the first one. On our part, we maintain that regarding the first class, we will make the nominations and the nominees will then pass the examination and be employed by the Ministry of Communications. Regarding the second, we will make recommendations to have certain personnel join the various sub-agencies of the relevant organization.

There is still some distance between our views. The question has been raised, for example, in case personnel nominated by the Communists fail to pass the examination, then what shall be done. Our suggestion is that we again make new nominations. According to Colonel Hill, personnel will be divided into separate types and some stipulation will define what procedure should be followed in case of failure of nominee to pass the examination. Regarding the second case, General Yu just said he is not in a position to take Communist personnel into the higher levels. In Colonel Hill’s preliminary draft, the principle was recognized that a proper representation in personnel will be guaranteed in the various levels, though Colonel Hill did not apply this principle in detail. Since we differ on the foregoing points, I wonder if we can solve the entire problem by having the second sentence in the draft now. Would that be sufficient to iron out all differences? I doubt it very much, for by going over it more and more and by elaborating on this point and that, it is going to be expanded to almost a separate document which will need time for argument and discussion. Certainly we cannot complete it today.

As soon as I noticed in the paper’s first sentence that a plan will be determined, it occurred to me that we might well incorporate the idea embodying the sentence in another plan.

I also saw Colonel Hill’s work on administrative control. We feel that in connection with it and on behalf of this discussion, we can dispense with the second sentence. As General Yu stated, more explicit wording is desirable, but just as I have said, a separate plan has to be worked out. As General Yu wants everything stated explicitly, we will have to work out a detailed arrangement and get it incorporated in the present paragraph, which will take lots of time.

I see no objection to any of the foregoing suggestions. Regarding General Marshall’s wishes on determining the result of examinations and on the procedure to be adopted in event of disagreement, I am just considering this matter. Such a paper will also have some stipulation regarding voting procedure.

General Marshall: We are not making very much progress here. Unless there is objection—that is other remarks at this particular moment, I suggest that we return to the first sentence as originally written and determine whether or not that is acceptable.

General Yu: If the issue of participation in high levels is to be discussed in this plan, I must discuss the problem at a later stage. I am simply not authorized to discuss it at present. Therefore, if that issue should be raised, then we will simply wreck the whole Government proposal on which we have already spent many hours. I want to emphasize, when the time is ripe for a general discussion of the Communist participation, I am willing to discuss the problem with General Chou, but not now. I hope General Chou will appreciate my position.

General Marshall: May I make a comment now. Do I understand General Chou to mean that at a certain level in the consideration of personnel, it becomes not a railroad administration matter but a question of governmental policies, say a coalition government regime, and it is on that highest level that General Yu is not authorized to conduct discussion at this time? Just what that level is I can only guess. Whether its definition is pertinent to this discussion I do not know.

General Yu: I wanted to say—

General Marshall: I interrupted General Chou and would like to let him speak.

General Yu: I just wanted one sentence to make the meaning clear. I want to tell General Chou that I am prepared, if he insists, to discuss the employment of Communist members in the restored sections. I am prepared if he insists that the word “plan” be adopted in this document. I am prepared to discuss conditions of the Communist members in the restored sections. That is all at present I am authorized to discuss. That is at present.

General Chou: To make clear as to what is my understanding of the greatest levels, I have actually in mind those railroad lines which have particular connection with Communist areas. It has nothing to do with the participation in the Ministry of Communications in the nature of a coalition government or to participate in the making of policies. What we want is only to participate in railroad administration along the railroad lines connected with the Communist lines. For example, the Peiping–Suiyuan railroad line, where there is now an independent administration in the Communist area and where a large part of that railroad line is run by Communists and traffic is resumed.

There are two matters that need our attention. The first one is employment of personnel in stations or other places effecting the restored section in the Communist area, and secondly, is the participation in the railroad administration in a section or in the entire line of that railway, so as to effect unification of administration. As it was before, they are separate administrations and now we want to put them together so that everything can go on from that. This question has been raised before in the Communication Group of Executive Headquarters in Peiping and we attach much importance to that point. General Yu has expressed that he is only authorized to accept Communist personnel in the restored section. I think that principle can be applied to certain lines where the section under Communist control is comparatively short and it does not effect the whole line very much. However, there are other lines where considerable parts are under Communist control. For one like that, we find it necessary to have Communist personnel in the administration organ of the entire line.

General Marshall: I think, gentlemen, before we come to what I hope is the final consideration of this paragraph that we have a 10-minute recess. Is that agreeable to you?

The meeting then recessed.

General Marshall: The meeting will come to order again. That was a constructive 10 minutes.

Returning to paragraph 6 and to the first sentence.

General Yu: I think General Chou put in the wording “the restored sectors.”

Qualified personnel may be taken in accordance with the plan to be determined.

General Marshall: “Before through traffic is permitted over the reopened sectors of the railroads, qualified railroad personnel of the CCP may be taken into the employ of the MOC in accordance with a plan to be determined.”

General Yu: General Chou says since we have the wording “over the reopened sectors”—

General Marshall: That is agreeable to you?

General Yu: With that understanding.

General Chou: I agree with the original.

General Marshall: As written?

General Chou: As written.

General Marshall: Then is it clear, only the first sentence?

General Chou: I have one statement. In formal discussion between General Yu and General Chou, we reached an understanding with General Yu to employ Communist personnel on restored sectors. I clarified the Communist position that besides employing Communist personnel on restored sectors, there are certain lines where a large section is under Communist control and Communist personnel may also participate in the higher levels up to the railroad bureau. It does not imply that the Communist personnel will participate in the Ministry of Communications or in the policy-forming agency.

General Yu: I am only authorized to discuss our CCP members in the restored sectors, but I realize the difficulties of General Chou but I am not authorized but am waiting to discuss with General Chou on the problems I stated. I try to do my best to understand the difficulties and do my best to secure authority to get an agreement acceptable to both sides.

General Marshall: In light of the remarks just made by General Chou and General Yu, are you ready to clear the first sentence of paragraph 6?

General Chou: General Chou accepts this sentence with the understanding that if General Yu Ta Wei would overcome the difficulties as he said, then the arrangement may not be incorporated in the plan that is to be determined, but in case those difficulties are not solved. General Chou reserves the right to bring up discussions when discussions are made on the plan.

General Marshall: Any objection?

General Yu: I do not have authority yet but I will do my best.

General Marshall: You mean you cannot listen to him?

General Yu: I can listen to him but cannot solve it.

General Marshall: I return now to the question again. In the light of what has been said, are you ready to accept the second sentence of paragraph 6 as written. The first sentence is cleared.

The second sentence reads: “The qualifications of such personnel will be determined by examinations conducted by Communications teams or by the Communications Group of the Executive Headquarters.” I believe you stated before that was acceptable to you, General Chou. The second sentence is accepted.

Paragraph 6, as previously written, is therefore accepted.

We will have to increase our speed somehow. However, the most difficult points, I think, are passed. We will take up consideration of paragraph 7: “Detailed plans for the restoration of all other lines of communications in accordance with General Directive 4 will be covered by later agreement.” Yesterday the following additional sentence was proposed as an amendment: “This directive shall not prejudice in any way General Directive No. 4.”

Is the first sentence as written acceptable to General Yu?

General Yu: “The detailed plans for the restoration of all other lines of communications in accordance with General Directive No. 4 will be covered by later agreement.” What is the meaning “by later agreement”?

General Pee: May General Yu be excused—he has a telephone call.

General Marshall: We will recess until General Yu returns.

General Marshall: The meeting will come to order.

General Pee: No comments.

General Marshall: The first sentence of paragraph 7 is accepted. Who proposed the amendment by the addition of the sentence I just read? Colonel Hill, do you know—was that your proposal?

Colonel Hill: It was not mine.

General Marshall: Do you think it necessary?

Colonel Hill: It is desirable, not essential.

General Marshall: Do you wish to retain that addition?

General Yu: No comment.

General Chou: This proposal was originally made by General Huang for General Chou, and he still thinks it better with the stipulation.

General Marshall: Is that acceptable?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: The amendment of paragraph 7, amended by the additional sentence: “This directive shall not prejudice in any way General Directive No. 4.” As written and as amended paragraph 7 is therefore cleared.

Paragraph 8. I suggest that paragraph 8 be left for consideration in a document that is yet to be discussed. Is that agreeable?

General Yu: That proposal is covered in a separate agreement. We don’t have to discuss it.

General Marshall: Paragraph 8, at least at this time, will not be considered.

I turn to Appendix A, Time Schedule. I will ask for convenience to treat the entire schedule in one discussion proposing any amendment that you desire to make in this particular portion. The Time Schedule as written will be copied into the record. I will not read it now.

“Appendix A

“Time Schedule

“Tientsin–Pukow RR from	Tsang Hsien to Te-Hsien	75 days
	Yucheng to Te-Hsien	60 days
	Taian to Yenchow	60 days
	Hanchuan to Yenchow	90 days
Tsinan–Tsingtao RR		30 days
Lung-Hai RR Hsuchow to Haichow		30 days
Peiping–Suiyuan RR, Hankow to Patou		45 days
Peiping–Hankow RR, Yuanshih to Anyang		150 days
Tung-Po RR, Lingfen to Yunchang		50 days
Peiping–Ku Pei Kou RR		30 days
Tatung–Taiyuan RR		30 days”

General Yu: That is all estimated dates.

General Marshall: Yes, I know.

General Chou: This Time Schedule is understood to be only an estimate.

General Marshall: General Yu, have you any amendments to propose to the Time Schedule, as written? Have you any amendments to propose to this Schedule?

General Yu: No.

General Marshall: Gentlemen, as I understand it, this completes the consideration of this document at the present time. If agreeable to you I will have Colonel Caughey prepare clear copies of the document as amended by us in the discussions here yesterday and today. Those copies will be immediately distributed to you both.

Is the title as written acceptable? I forgot to mention that. Is it a plan or a directive?

General Yu: Directive is more satisfactory. This is to be more than a plan.

General Marshall: It now reads “Directive for Reopening of Lines of Communication in North and Central China.” Is that acceptable?

Both General Chou and General Yu nodded agreement.

General Marshall: I will ask you gentlemen to turn to the document on the directive for the cessation of hostilities in Manchuria.⁷¹ If agreeable to you both, we will resume the discussion.

General Yu: General Marshall, I tried to contact Mr. Chang⁷² last night twice but failed because he was not in. I meant to tell Mr. Chang that the Government is ready to discuss termination of hostilities in Manchuria after we had finished the discussion on restoration of communications. I also meant to tell Mr. Chang that if anything prevented his being at the meeting that I would be his representative. However, I failed to tell him because I could not reach him.

General Marshall: We will accept that as the authorization for General Yu.

If agreeable to you gentlemen we will resume the discussion on paragraph c of that document. As I understood the matter at the time of our adjournment, General Hsu had agreed to General Chou’s proposal to substitute “20 li” for “15 li” in the first sentence, General Hsu’s having in mind that the matter of reaching decisions would be covered in a separate document. Is that a correct understanding?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: Therefore the distance in this document in the first sentence should read “20 li”. The second sentence reads, “The local situation believed to have existed as of noon June 7, 1946, will be the basis for determining the readjustment of the troops involved.” My understanding of the discussion regarding that sentence was, on the part of General Hsu, that we should accept it with the understanding that the matter of details and settlement of disagreements would be covered in two separate documents. Is that correct, General Yu?

General Yu: Were there one or two separate documents?

General Marshall: Two, one regarding conditions around cities, etc., and the other is regarding settlement of disagreements of teams.

General Yu: That is correct.

General Marshall: The second sentence is therefore accepted as written. The third sentence as originally written has been altered by General Chou who, as I understand, would have it omitted because the matter would be covered in a separate document. Is that acceptable?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: The third sentence will, therefore, be struck from the paragraph as written. Unless there is an objection, paragraph c is accepted as written with the change “20 li” and with the omission of the third sentence. We will pass to paragraph d. That was hastily read yesterday noon but, as I understand it, General Hsu desired some changes. It reads: “All movements of National or Communist troops of a tactical nature will cease. Administrative and supply movements as authorized in the original cease-fire order of January 10, 1946, may be carried out if previously cleared with a field team.” General Hsu desired that, in the second sentence after the words “carried out” there be inserted the words “within the garrison areas.” Also, in the 5th to the last word, it had been originally written “cleared” but, on General Chou’s suggestion, had been changed to “approved”. Is the amendment proposed by General Hsu still the desire of the Government, General Yu?

General Yu: I think so. General Hsu has not said anything to the contrary.

General Marshall: That amendment is therefore accepted. Is the alteration of the fifth from the last word “cleared” to “approved”, suggested by General Chou, accepted?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: Is there any other amendment to that paragraph that the Government wishes to make?

General Yu: No.

General Marshall: Have you any, General Chou?

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: The paragraph is therefore accepted as originally written with the two amendments already acted upon. We turn now to paragraph e.

At this point General Marshall suggested that Mr. Ling, Mr. Sah, and Mr. Shih leave as the discussion no longer pertained to them. He thanked them for coming to the meeting.

General Marshall: The paragraph as originally written reads: “Within seven days after the issuance of this agreement, lists showing all units together with commanders, strength and locations in Manchuria will be submitted to the Advance Section of Executive Headquarters in Changchun.” As I stated yesterday, in the second word “seven” was written by me and I was advised by my assistants that that was too short a time. However, I left it as is. General Chou proposed 15 days, instead of 7. Is that acceptable?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: Therefore “15” days is the agreed time. In that same paragraph after the word “commanders”, General Chou proposed the additional words “of regiments and larger units.” Is that acceptable to General Yu?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: The additional words “of regiments and larger units” is acceptable. Are there any other amendments proposed for that paragraph?

General Yu: No.

General Chou: None.

General Marshall: The paragraph is cleared then with the two amendments mentioned. We will turn now to paragraph f. This paragraph was written by me with the idea of avoiding unfortunate propaganda against the movement of replacements into Manchuria. The Government, I understand, objected to the paragraph, at least so General Hsu informed me, because it only stated a prohibition against Government troops and because the actual matter of that first sentence would be covered in the detailed amendments of agreement of February 25 regarding the reorganization and redistribution of troops. With that understanding of the matter, I propose the amendment of the first sentence to include the words after the word “government”, “and the Communist Party,” and in the second sentence after the word “replacements”, “of the National Government.” General Yu, is the paragraph acceptable to you with the proposed amendments I have just mentioned?

General Yu: That is very important. The content of this paragraph is covered in the proposed amendment to the basic plan of February 25, 1946. We therefore accept it since General Hsu has already announced he will sign it at the same time as the proposed amendment.

General Marshall: Has General Chou any comments he would like to add?

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: Paragraph f is accepted as amended but I am striking out the two words “National” in both places, leaving just “Government.” We will pass to paragraph g. It reads, “Officers failing to carry out the terms of this agreement will be relieved and disciplined by their respective commander.” Is there any comment on this paragraph?

Both General Chou and General Yu shook their heads.

General Marshall: Paragraph g is therefore accepted as written. I will have Colonel Caughey make a clear copy of this document and supply an appropriate title, which will finally be considered at the time of formal acceptance. If agreeable to you gentlemen, we will now turn to General Chou’s proposal for the specific examples of the actual guidance of teams. Has General Yu a copy?

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: This document as drafted reads: “To the Commissioners from the Committee of Three: An agreement for the complete termination of hostilities in Manchuria has been signed and issued by the Committee of Three this date. The following instructions are issued for the purpose of assisting field teams in effecting a uniform application of the terms of the agreement regarding troops found in close contact or actually engaged in combat: In general there will be four cases confronting the field teams.” Now if it meets your agreement, we will discuss the four cases first and then come back to the preamble to this document.

General Yu: General Marshall, I am sorry that I saw this document for the first time today. I need a little time to study the document before I can take part in discussion.

General Marshall: Is it acceptable to General Chou that we suspend discussion of this document at the moment?

General Chou: Yes.

General Marshall: The discussion of this document will be delayed until its meets General Yu Ta Wei’s convenience.

Now the next paper is General Chou’s first suggestion regarding stipulations for the resolution of certain disagreements among the field teams, the advance section of Executive Headquarters in Changchun and in Peiping. General Yu, are you familiar with this document?

General Yu: I heard the discussion the other day but I got a copy for the first time today. Are these General Chou’s proposals?

General Marshall: Yes.

General Yu: I am ready.

General Marshall: The following is the proposal by General Chou En-lai headed “Stipulations for the Resolution of Certain Disagreements Among the Field Teams, the Advance Section of Executive Headquarters in Changehum and in Peiping.”

“I. The Field Teams.

• 1. In case of disagreement on matters of urgency, the American representative of the field team may render his own report of the situation as he sees it to Executive Headquarters in Changchun or Peiping requesting instructions.
• 2. In case of disagreement, the American representative of the field team is authorized to make decision as to where and when the field team will move within his area to conduct investigations regarding military activities. Regarding the place of investigation, transportation difficulties should not be permitted to prejudice or delay the movement of the teams.
• 3. In case of disagreement on matters relating to cessation of hostilities and separation of forces, the American representative of the field team is authorized to issue orders in the name of the Executive Headquarters to the field commanders on both sides to stop fighting at once and to effect the separation of the forces as prescribed in accordance with directives.
• 4. The area assigned to each field team will be stipulated by Executive Headquarters.

II. Executive Headquarters in Changchun and Peiping.

• 5. In case of disagreement, the senior American official of Executive Headquarters in Peiping or Changchun may render his own report to Executive Headquarters in Peiping or the Committee of Three based on the situation as he sees it requesting instructions.
• 6. In case of disagreement regarding the implementation of orders or instructions from the higher level, the senior American official of the Executive Headquarters in Peiping or Changchun is authorized to direct the execution of that order or instruction unless amended or rescinded by the higher level itself.”

The first series of paragraphs have a general heading “The Field Teams,” which applies to the first four paragraphs. Have you any comments on paragraph 1?

General Yu: I have no comment to make.

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: I would like to ask at this time this question. If this document is to cover the procedure in the event of disagreements, would it not be advisable to include in it “communication teams”? You remember in the document on communications, paragraph 8 was omitted because it would be included in this. I propose the following amendments at this time: The general title of the first four paragraphs is “The Field Teams.” I suggest that the word “The” be omitted and that the words “and Communication” be inserted after the word “Field.” Is that acceptable.

Both General Yu and General Chou nodded approval.

General Marshall: That is acceptable. In paragraph 1, it should be paragraph “a”, after the word “disagreement” strike out the word “on” and insert the word “regarding.” That’s better English. After the word “field” insert the words “or communication”. After the words “he sees it” insert the word “direct.” Are there any comments on those proposed amendments?

General Yu: None.

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: We turn to paragraph 2, which should be paragraph “b”. Is that acceptable as written?

Both General Yu and General Chou nodded approval.

General Marshall: Paragraph 2, now termed paragraph b, is acceptable. Paragraph 3, which I suggest be changed to paragraph “c”, will be considered next. I propose the striking out of the fifth word “on” and substituting “regarding.” Is that modification acceptable?

General Yu: Yes.

General Chou nodded approval.

General Marshall: Are there any other amendments to that paragraph?

General Chou: No.

General Yu: No.

General Marshall: The paragraph is accepted with the single amendment which I proposed. We will proceed to paragraph 4, which I suggest be designated as paragraph “d”, and I propose that after the word “field” there be inserted the two words “and communication” and that the word “stipulated” be struck out and the word “designated” replace it. Are those amendments acceptable?

General Yu: Yes.

General Chou: Yes.

General Marshall: Are there any other amendments to that paragraph?

General Chou: None.

General Yu: No.

General Marshall: The paragraph is accepted. We turn to Section II.

General Yu: May I raise the issue—should the four articles refer more to the work of field teams rather than communication teams?

General Marshall: I have another paragraph to suggest on that later. In Section II is the title “Executive Headquarters in Changchun and Peiping” acceptable?

General Chou: Yes.

General Yu: Yes.

General Marshall: It is accepted. I suggest we turn to paragraph 5, which should be “a”, of Section II. Are there any comments?

General Yu: No.

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: That paragraph now labeled “a” is accepted. Go to paragraph 6, which I propose be designated paragraph “b”, of Section II. Are there any proposed amendments to that?

General Yu: No.

General Chou: No.

General Marshall: Paragraph b, formerly 6, is accepted as written.

General Chou: I suggest we use paragraph 8 of the original communication directive for reopening of lines of communication in North and Central China with the amendment I am now reading: “In case of disagreement as to interpretation of this directive, the reopening of lines of communication, the American officer of the communication group of Executive Headquarters will be authorized to make the decision in North and Central China.”

General Marshall: Don’t put that in about North and Central China because we have not yet discussed Manchuria. Then it would have to be rewritten.

After a brief discussion, General Marshall and General Chou came to agreement as to wording.

General Marshall: General Chou proposes an additional paragraph to Section 1 of this document, which would become paragraph d, reading: “In case of disagreement as to interpretation of the directive for reopening of lines of communication, the senior American officer of the communication group of Executive Headquarters is authorized to render the decision.”

General Yu: The Government has two proposals to make. First, “In case of disagreement as to where and when to send field teams, the U. S. Commissioner in Executive Headquarters in Peiping has the authority to render the decision.”

The second proposal has been communicated to General Chou by General Hsu. It reads: “In case of disagreement as to the interpretation of all agreements and manner of execution of the agreements, a majority vote of the Committee of Three will be decisive.”

General Marshall: May I ask a question about the first proposal?

General Yu: As to where and when to send the teams. The U. S. Commissioner of Executive Headquarters in Peiping has authority to arrange conditions.

General Marshall: May I ask a question?

Section 2, paragraph b, of the document under discussion provides: “In case of disagreement regarding the implementation of orders or instructions from the higher level, the senior American official of the Executive Headquarters in Peiping or Changchun is authorized to direct the execution of that order or instruction unless amended or rescinded by the higher level itself.” Was it not your understanding, General Chou, that was to include sending out of a field team?

General Marshall: May I interrupt General Chou. Is General Chou talking about the second or first.

General Chou: First.

General Marshall: I would rather he did not go into the second proposal at all until I make a statement.

General Chou: Regarding the dispatch of field teams by Executive Headquarters to different places. When instructions have been issued by the Committee of Three or the dispatch of field teams, such as the directive for sending field teams to Manchuria, that is four additional field teams to Manchuria, and such as the dispatch of a field team to Tingyuan, in case there should be disagreement among the Communists, then the American officer by virtue of paragraph 2b, is authorized to direct execution of that order and to get the team dispatched. In the second case, if no instructions whatsoever have been issued before then, in case of disagreement, the American Commissioner is, by virtue of 2a, first to render a report to the Committee of Three requesting instruction.

General Marshall: I understand that.

General Yu: That is my proposal but in different wording.

General Marshall: We have passed that.

General Yu: Yes.

General Chou: I am not prepared for discussion of those two, therefore, I would like the meeting to be adjourned so I can consider it.

General Marshall: The second proposal of the Government pertaining to the Committee of Three, I must request you gentlemen to negotiate that among yourselves and not in my presence. That is a Chinese battle that I have no part in. I will ask Colonel Caughey to prepare a fair copy of this as far as we have reached agreement—triple spaced. As I understand the desire of the members, we will adjourn to meet tomorrow. What time and what place is suggested?

General Chou: I suggest that the meeting will take place on day after tomorrow instead of tomorrow because I want some time to prepare a proposal regarding the reorganization of the army plan.

General Marshall: We will meet day after tomorrow morning, and unless information to the contrary is received, at 10:00. Here—provided it is not raining.

The meeting is then adjourned.

71. Draft of June 13, p. 1044.
72. Possibly Gen. Hsu Yung-chang.