Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Brigadier General Henry A. Byroade to General Marshall
359. Disarmament problem which caused concern while Headquarters was occupied by cease fire and repatriation of Communist [Japanese?] problems has now virtually solved itself. In accordance with your desire, immediately upon my return, we endeavored to locate an isolated group of armed Japs to make test case of disarmament by Communists. No such group could be found.
Nationalists here informed yesterday that all Japanese are now disarmed. Communists do not as yet accept this report. In the last few days evidence from teams sent to substantiate the Nationalist claim. In any event it appears now that the Japanese are disarmed to a point where the disarmament question will no longer be an issue. The military truce and presence of field teams has apparently created a degree of stability in North China which has induced the Nationalists to greatly accelerate disarmament in the last 3 weeks.
Staff studies on the problem of repatriation are now fully under way in the American group. Wedemeyer’s repatriation experts arrived here today for conference. You will be informed of further developments.