Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Memorandum by General Marshall to General Chang Chih-chung and General Chou En-lai
General Directive No. 5 has been issued on 18 February to all field teams, field team members, and all National Government and Communist Party military commanders in North China.
Directive begins: All National Government and Communist Party military commanders in North China and all field teams and field team members.
[Page 436]The following document regarding repatriation of the Japanese has been agreed to and signed by the three Commissioners of Executive Headquarters.
[“]Repatriation of Japanese
In the overall problem of repatriating Japanese, which has been undertaken by the Allied powers, the responsibility with respect to China lies with the Chinese National Government. The United States has assisted and is continuing to assist in this task through the United States Forces, China Theater. These forces include the United States Marines in China. A complete plan for repatriation from port of embarkation has been agreed to between representatives of the Supreme Commander Allied Powers in Japan, and the United States Forces, China Theater. Representatives of the National Government of China have endorsed this plan.
In the cessation of hostilities documents approved by the Committee of Three in Chungking, a responsibility for repatriation of the Japanese from the areas of conflict was also placed on the Executive Headquarters. The presence of large numbers of Japanese is a disturbing factor in North China which makes the release of these Japanese from present locations and the insurance of their orderly movement to ports of embarkation a matter of direct concern to the Executive Headquarters. This movement must furthermore be at such a rate as is consistent with port capacities and availability of shipping.
The best available information indicates that in North China there are approximately 120,000 Japanese military and 189,000 Japanese civilians to be repatriated. Of the above it appears that a total of 81,500 Japanese military and 154,000 Japanese civilians should be repatriated through the port of Tangku. The remaining 37,500 Japanese military and 35,000 Japanese civilians should be repatriated through the port of Tsingtao.
Executive Headquarters will take the necessary action to arrange for the establishment of food dumps and the method of movement of Japanese repatriates to ports of embarkation in coordination with the Chinese Government and the China Theater. It will take such steps as are practicable and necessary to insure the availability of coal for railroad use in connection with these movements. It will determine the priority of Japanese movements from areas, based upon the availability of rail facilities, or living conditions along the route of evacuation, and food availability in their present areas.
Snipping now scheduled and port facilities are capable of handling a rate of flow of 3,000 per day through the port of Tangku and 1,500 per day through the port of Tsingtao. It is anticipated that this rate can be increased at a later date.
It is agreed that both National Government and Communist Party forces will assist, and not interfere with in any way, the movement of Japanese to insure the agreed rate of movement through ports of embarkation. It is further agreed that the repatriation of Japanese from North China shall be effected at the maximum rate possible consistent with the availability of shipping. No other factors, including any assigned responsibilities, will be permitted to retard this movement.
Subject to later agreement, it appears that the repatriation of Japanese military and Lao Yao and Hsuchow areas will require no action [Page 437] of coordination by Executive Headquarters. The repatriates in the Lao Yao area will be repatriated through the port of Lao Yao. The repatriates west of the railroad break at Yun Ho will be moved by rail to Shanghai via Hsuchow.
Signed General Cheng Kai Ming, General Yeh Chien Ying, Mr. Walter S. Robertson.” End of document.
In compliance with the above agreement all commanders, in absence of further instructions, will, of their own initiative, assist in the repatriation of Japanese from or through their areas. Routes of movement and the timing thereof will be established by the Executive Headquarters. Such further information and instructions as may be necessary will be provided commanders concerned at a later date.
Signed General Cheng Kai Ming, National Government Commissioner, General Yeh Chien Ying, Communist Party Commissioner, Walter Robertson, United States Commissioner.
End of directive. New Subject: This directive will be confirmed in English and Chinese to all field teams by courier.
Colonel, G. S. C.