Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall
5541. Reourad 5445 the following is furnished for background information.
U. S. Branch Executive Headquarters is taking following stand regarding Shantung with guidance instructions furnished hereinafter. General Clement and Colonel Davis37 have seen, commented, and agreed upon the guidance instructions except that General Clement must give cognizance to question raised by General Rockey.38 General Rockey is concerned over proposal to withdraw 54th Army from Shantung since its presence has removed the former jeopardy [Page 1379] to U. S. Marine positions in Tsingtao and General Rockey feels that substitute units may prove less satisfactory.
Proposed guidance instructions to U. S. members of Shantung field teams follow:
“In future negotiations on problems affecting Shantung that may arise or have already risen, the position of the U. S. branch, Executive Hdqs., is as listed below. It must be clearly understood that the position of the U. S. branch is by no means a rigid one. The branch position to these problems is furnished for the confidential guidance of the U. S. members and will be advanced only as compromise proposals in the event of a deadlock on the part of the Chinese members. After having upon request advanced proposals, U. S. members will not take an unalterable stand on the stated positions, thereby preventing Chinese member reaching an agreement on their own basis.
- “a. Recourse to force as means of settlement of problems will not be recognized by Executive Headquarters.
- “b. Communist Party troops evacuate all localities seized since 7 June.
- “c. National Government withdraw 54th and 73rd Armies; however, some new National Government troops should be authorized to comprise necessary garrisons.
- “d. National Government troops to replace so-called puppet troops, now dispersed, reoccupy all localities lost since 7 June. New garrisons should be equal to or less than original garrisons.
- “e. Field teams from Executive Headquarters supervise withdrawal 54th and 73rd armies.
- “f. Monetary reparation be made by attacking side.
- “g. Unless it is clearly shown that a subordinate is beyond his instructions and provoked incidents or engaged in brutal or unnecessarily cruel warfare, the punishment of subordinate commanders is not considered practicable in view of origin of attack orders traceable to the highest Shantung Communist Authority.
- “h. U. S. members will avoid taking the initiative or carrying the ball in discussions concerning punishment, reparations, or status of puppets.
- “i. Unrestricted trade and exchange of commodities between areas be affected.
- “j. Reconstruction and operations of railroads be consistent with terms of agreement reached but not signed by Committee of Three, copies of which have been furnished all communications and field teams. This provides that reconstruction is responsibility of MOC39 and that all Commanders and field team members give every assistance. Also that question of operation shall be decided by Committee of Three after reconstruction has commenced but before through traffic is permitted over reconstructed lines.[”]
Unless otherwise advised will assume there is no objection to our proposed position.