Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr.48
1237. Reference 1224 this date.49 It is the Communist members of teams at Potou, Tsinan, and Nankou who have stopped reconstruction on rail lines. Yesterday Communist Commissioner agreed to dispatch of messages from commissioners to those teams instructing that, in accordance with agreement reached by Committee [of] Three on recent inspection trip, reconstruction should not be held up pending clarification by Committee of Three as to what fortifications should be destroyed under Directive 4A Paragraph 2. Dispatch of these messages was afterwards held up by Communist Representative in railway section although such representative attended meeting at which agreement was reached. When approached again today Communist Commissioner frankly stated that overall situation had changed, that National Government was engaged in large troop movements, and he was unwilling to order reconstruction of railways until [Page 602] Committee of Three had reached a decision regarding the destruction of fortifications. As our railway reconstruction program is seriously jeopardized by this development, it is earnestly hoped that Committee of Three, despite other urgent problems now under consideration, can reach decision on this question without delay.