Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Colonel Marshall S. Carter to Colonel George V. Underwood, at Nanking
90664. From Marshall. Please pass the following message to Doctor Stuart:
Message begins: The President has decided that American participation in Executive Headquarters should be terminated as expeditiously as practicable. Please inform the Generalissimo and Chairman Mao Tze-tung, through the Communist Delegation in Nanking, as follows:
“The US Government has reached the decision to terminate its connection with the so-called Committee of Three and the Executive Headquarters in Peiping established on the recommendation of General Marshall by that Committee in January 1946.”
The necessary time will be allowed, and assistance given, by American branch of Executive Headquarters to return Communist personnel to CCP Areas as desired. The time limit involved in the return of this personnel should be determined by you on the recommendation of Executive Headquarters and both parties should be informed accordingly.
The foregoing decision should not operate to interfere with assistance by you if either side initiates appeal to you, in your normal functioning as American Ambassador, for assistance in the various problems peculiar to the Chinese situation. The above however does spell conclusion to negotiations which were initiated by me in December of 1945. Should a decision be reached to reopen negotiations they of course would probably take a new shape and you would be duly advised as to whether or not it is desirable for the Embassy to participate. End of message.
For Underwood only: One day after Doctor Stuart advises the Generalissimo and Mao Tze-tung as above, have General Gillem15 tell the same thing to the two Sino Commissions at Executive Headquarters. Also expedite the detailed plan and keep Caughey16 advised. He is coordinating the matter now with War and Navy Departments.
D–Day for withdrawal will be announced by me as soon as possible in accordance with your detailed planning. It must be soon, however. Instructions regarding the relief of the Marines, except at Tsingtao, will be given later in conformity with the approved plans for the termination of American participation in Executive Headquarters.
[Page 710]It is very important that there be no leak to the press prior to a formal and simultaneous public announcement here and in Nanking. The timing will have to be regulated in Nanking as it should follow immediately after Doctor Stuart’s visit to the Generalissimo and CCP. For this reason the visits should follow close on each other. You should radio release date and hour to State Department. The text for such announcement follows:
“The U. S. Government has decided to terminate its connection with the Committee of Three which was established in Chungking for the purpose of terminating hostilities in China and of which General Marshall was Chairman. The U. S. Government also has decided to terminate its connection with Executive Headquarters which was established in Peiping by the Committee of Three for the purpose of supervising, in the field, the execution of the agreements for the cessation of hostilities and the demobilization and reorganization of the Armed Forces in China.
The American personnel involved in Executive Headquarters will be withdrawn as soon as possible.” End announcement.