393.1115/12–248
The Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Butterworth) to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Wooldridge)
Dear Admiral Wooldridge: Since Admiral Badger and General Barr should receive immediate instructions, I am authorized thus to reply to that part of the letter which the Secretary of the Navy addressed to the Secretary of State under date of December 2 respecting the disposition of the U. S. Army Military Police Battalion stationed at Shanghai. The other questions raised in Secretary Sullivan’s letter will be the subject of a further communication.
[Page 915]The Department of State is in agreement with the recommendations made by General Barr in telegram no. 776 OAGA dated December 2, 1948,90 that the 701st MP Battalion be evacuated from China with the Joint Military Advisory Group and pending such evacuation, they should remain under the command of JUSMAG.
We note in Admiral Badger’s telegram 300529Z (November)90 that Marine units to replace the Military Police Battalion will be quartered in the Naval Port Facilities at Shanghai. It is this Department’s understanding that this step is purely a temporary expedient for the purpose of assisting in evacuation of U. S. nationals and protection of JUSMAG stores. I am instructed to request information as to what extraordinary steps are to be taken, in agreement with the Department of the Army, for the removal of the stores so that with their removal in large part and the effective completion of evacuation of American nationals, the Marines can be withdrawn from shore and put afloat. In the meantime, the Department would appreciate it if the Navy Department would communicate with Admiral Badger and obtain from him information as to what duties in connection with evacuation, under present circumstances, he proposes to assign to the Marines and at what places within the city of Shanghai.
You will have noted that in accordance with instructions from Mr. Lovett a copy of Shanghai’s telegram no. 2610 of December 291 was sent today to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations; that this telegram indicates that the British Ambassador in China is opposed to the landing of British troops in Shanghai to preserve law and order.
Sincerely yours,