121.893/3–746: Telegram
General Marshall to the Secretary of State 30
[285.] Dear Mr. Secretary: In reply to message from the President [to] American Embassy 352,31 February 26 [27], my early departure from China and other circumstances make it inadvisable in my opinion for me to undertake negotiations for a contract regarding Military Advisory Group. I propose the following:
That General Gillem now here who is eventually to be the head of the Group and who in the interim will be representing me during my absence and will shortly take over the position of American Commissioner with Executive Headquarters to supervise the carrying out of the demobilization and reorganization of the Chinese Armies, be designated to initiate negotiations with the Chinese Government officials immediately but on an informal basis determining their probable acquiescence or otherwise to the general terms indicated in JCS 1330 series.
Gillem would then communicate this to the official in the State Department designated to finalize the negotiations. A direct liaison between these two individuals should facilitate an early completion of these negotiations.