Marshall Mission Files. Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr.
1387. Urgent message from Byroade at Mukden follows:
“Transmit following to Gillem and Robertson from Byroade. Conference with Consul58 and Major Rigg59 here leads me to believe a call on Marshal Malinovsky60 at Changchun may be advisable. Purpose would be to inform Russians officially of Executive Headquarters’ presence. My attitude would be straightforward explanation of our work and based upon assumption that no official connections exist between Russian and Chinese Communists here although such connection obviously exists. As National Government would probably frown on such a visit believe it should be cleared with Generalissimo. Delay of trip for clearance with General Marshall in Washington might be advisable and might as well result in some valuable guidance from there. What is your advice? Limited radio facilities prevent transmittal of more information on conditions here at this time.”
It is my strong opinion that Byroade should not go into Changchun or any other Russian-occupied area without previous specific authority from either the Committee of Three or General Marshall. Byroade has been so informed. As stated to you in Chungking, my own view is that the National Government rather than a representative of Executive Headquarters would be the appropriate agency to inform Russian authorities of proposed activity of cease fire teams in Manchuria particularly in view of provisions of Sino-Russian treaty61 with regard to the joint Sino-Soviet administration of certain railroads along which our teams will be certain to operate. Once this had been done a proper basis for liaison would be established. Of course, this is a decision for Chungking but in view of Byroade’s proposal I suggest that question be considered without delay. You will know whether or not General Marshall should be consulted.62
New Subject: Minutes given me by Caughey only cover last meeting of Committee of Three and do not give the information desired as to the positions taken by opposing sides in the discussions leading [Page 719] up to the issuance of the Manchurian directive. Until agreement is reached in Chungking on the basic questions involved, permitting a clear directive from the Committee of Three to Executive Headquarters, such information would be extremely helpful in avoiding decisions here and in the field which might later be repudiated. Would appreciate your forwarding as promptly as possible.
- O. Edmund Clubb, American Consul General at Mukden.↩
- Maj. Robert B. Rigg, Assistant Military Attaché in China.↩
- Commanding general of Soviet forces in Manchuria.↩
- Signed at Moscow, August 14, 1945; Department of State, United States Relations with China (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1949), p. 585.↩
- Substance of the preceding portion of this telegram transmitted to General Marshall in telegram No. 421, April 1, not printed; General Gillem added the following comment: “Generalissimo stated that his decision as to do so would not be made until definite information was received that Communist members were accompanying Field Team … [when] he would make further study of question before arriving at decision to communicate with Soviet Government. In view of Byroade’s query have you any comments or instructions?”↩