Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
General Marshall to the Soviet Ambassador in China (Petrov)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have received no acknowledgement of my letter to you of March 9th regarding repatriation of Japanese from Manchuria. Shipping has now become available for this purpose and an American repatriation team is expected to arrive in Hulutao this date for the purpose of coordinating the movement of Japanese who will be evacuated through that port from southern Manchuria.
Information furnished me by Supreme Headquarters Chinese Army indicates that there are approximately 800,000 Japanese in the Mukden–Dairen corridor. In order to facilitate the repatriation of those Japanese it would be extremely helpful to locate temporarily in Dairen a repatriation team of not to exceed 20 Americans whose sole purpose would be to coordinate movements of the Japanese repatriates.
[Page 893]I would appreciate your advising me as soon as possible, the attitude of your Government in this regard so that I can coordinate arrangements with General MacArthur who has the responsibility for repatriation of Japanese from all of China, French Indo China and the Pacific Ocean Area.
If it is desired that this matter be adjusted on a higher level, through the State Department in Washington and Moscow, I would appreciate your notifying me accordingly.