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

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270

Memorandum by Colonel J. Hart Caughey ³³ to Mr. Tung Pi-wu ³⁴

OSE 306

Nanking , July 19, 1946.

I received the attached memorandum (Inch 1) over the telephone this morning from General Chou En-lai.

As requested by General Chou, I attach as Inch 2³⁵ the reference message received by Police Office, Peiping, regarding the seven American enlisted Marines.

[Enclosure]

Memorandum by General Chou En-lai to Mr. Tung Pi-wu

Shanghai , 18 July 1946.

General Marshall just called me due to message received by Police Office, Peiping, from Liu Shou Ying, dated 16th, 1100, saying that seven American enlisted Marines are being held near Shan Hai-kwan by 2nd Detachment Guerrilla force under command of Yu Hua-lung, who in turn is under command of Li Yun-chang. A field team was dispatched by Executive Headquarters at 16 July, 1630, for Peitaho to render all possible assistance in locating and recovering kidnapped enlisted Marines.

General Marshall requests that I do what I can towards release and return of Marines in question. I have asked Colonel Caughey to forward a copy of that message to you. Please immediately wire Yenan and Kalgan to investigate the incident, locate the Marines and secure their release if they are found to be held by our forces.

Chou En-Lai

33. Executive Officer on General Marshall’s staff.
34. Member of the Chinese Communist Party delegation at Nanking.
35. Telegram No. 170054Z, July 17, not printed; this telegram from Admiral Cooke to General Marshall transmitted original telegram No. 161132Z by Army Radio, Peiping, which reported the kidnapping under reference. Further information on the incident was reported in telegram No. 170549Z, July 19, from General Rockey to Admiral Cooke: “1830 13 July while procuring ice 8 enlisted men of ‘C’ Company 7th Marines stationed at bridges 99–102 were ambushed at village 1½ miles southeast of Liu Shu Ying which is about 15 miles from Peitaiho junction on Peiping–Mukden railroad by a group of reportedly 80 Communists or bandits. Seven enlisted captured and now in hands of the Communist or dissident band. One enlisted escaped and now in our hands. Strong patrols were dispatched promptly to comb surrounding country.”