Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Brigadier General Thomas S. Timberman to Colonel J. Hart Caughey, at Nanking
8147. Winter location of school for Communist Party training program is subject Reurad 1289.50 Study to determine possibility of relocation school for Communist Party forces during winter months indicates that Tsingtao, Lini, and Hsuchow, in that order, are suitable from standpoint of weather and facilities. Study is based on following assumptions that: (a) Airlift of the 300 tons of school equipment and supplies majority of which are now in Peiping is impractical and undesirable, (b) Time to repair existing breaks will prohibit use of rail to move supplies, (c) Movement of supplies will be from Peiping to Tangku by railroad and by US Navy to Tsingtao or Laoyao and then by road to Lini or Hsuchow unless Tsingtao is selected. No investigation of available shipping has been made, (d) The Communist Party will require 60 days to assemble students. (This is based on a statement made in April by the Communist Party school commandant designate that 60 days would be required to assemble students even if assisted by American airlift). Movement of supplies to any of these possible locations will not require longer than 60 days minimum necessary to assemble students once decision to open school is received. [Page 166] Tsingtao is recommended as best location from logistical standpoint, Lini is second choice logistically and if Communist Party insists on locating school within Communist Party territory, Lini is only choice.
- Dated August 10, not printed.↩