Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Colonel Henry A. Byroade to General Marshall
Re 42. Was aware of situation described in Chou En-lai’s letter to Chang January 13 but have been unable to dispatch team as Chinese representatives have not arrived. Knowing that Communist representatives were to arrive this afternoon and that Central Government could borrow man locally I held conference this morning with General Yeh and General Cheng explaining that we must not be lost in organization and housing details and that immediate action was necessary in the dispatch of a team to this feud. They both agreed whereupon I picked up Robertson and 14 of us called on Marshal Lee.78 He explained that while the Nationalist troops advancing on Chihfeng were under General Tu Li Ming’s command and not his own, he believed lack of communications in the Chihfeng area was the reason fighting still continued. Plan now as follows: Early tomorrow morning aircraft will drop leaflets signed by three commissioners on the city of Chihfeng, its airfield, and on Central Government troops approaching Chihfeng. These leaflets will contain the cease fire order as well as the information that aircraft will land at Chihfeng tomorrow carrying field team from Executive Headquarters, consisting of one Central Government member, one Communist member, and one American. [Page 350] In order to insure that Central Government troops have orders from their commander, the field team with General Tu Li Ming’s representative aboard, will depart here at 0900 hours landing at Chin Chow to send formal orders to troops signed by General Tu Li Ming prior to proceeding on to Chihfeng. They should arrive in Chihfeng tomorrow afternoon. In the afternoon a second C–47 will carry radio equipment into Chihfeng.
Above is still plan although I have just received word that Chihfeng airfield is most likely unusable. Have sent Polo to check this report if as the field is reportedly covered with snow I may for safety sake send empty plane to accompany representatives and land first. General Cheng seems to be sincere in doing all possible to get team to Chihfeng tomorrow.
To counteract any possible rumors that Central Government might not be obeying cease fire orders, our combined press section will release tomorrow that communications are out in the area in question and that the Executive Headquarters has swung into action to inform the commanders and giving brief story of flights mentioned above.
Three commissioners were met last night with appropriate reception parties and the four of us with few others had dinner together.
Now have report from Marines that General Uand [sic] of the 8th Chinese National Army has stated that he has received Top Secret orders to immediately resume his march on Tsinan. While this report is doubted, next team will be sent to Tsinan and as quickly as possible. For your information 11th War Area commander, whose headquarters is here states he received formal cease fire instructions only yesterday January 13. He stated he could have all fighting stopped by this afternoon.
Since members are now just arriving and headquarters is not yet organized Dahlr79 Geiorms79 not yet started this if [is?] for you only.