Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Colonel Marshall S. Carter to General Marshall
85723. Reur 1764.88 Mister Acheson, Acting Secretary of State, sends the following:
“I assure you that there is no pressure for a reduction as such in strength of the Marines. It was purely a question of (a) what is their mission, or (b) when will they leave; the answers to which were required to support the US position.
Accordingly, the Department of State supports the view that the primary reason for keeping Marines in China is to protect the lines of supply and communication to and maintain the security of the Tripartite Executive Headquarters, and that the total number required for this task can be determined only in China. Further, that if Executive Headquarters is disbanded and the US personnel thereof is removed, a reduction in the strength of the Marines to the guard and training units required at Tsingtao will probably be appropriate”.
- Supra.↩