Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., to General Marshall
[379]. After a difficult series of meetings with the Committee of Three, we finally reached agreement regarding the instructions for field teams. We did not, as I indicated in my last message,55 reach agreement by 4 o’clock yesterday due to the fact that Chou found it necessary to refer small changes, insisted upon by Chang the evening before, back to Yenan for decision. Although we reached tentative agreement at 4 o’clock yesterday it was necessary to await Yenan’s reply. Early this morning Yenan submitted favorable reply and by 10 o’clock the three of us had signed the agreement; the Directive to the Executive Headquarters was agreed on and dispatched; and a public announcement was prepared and issued for 11 o’clock release.56 The agreement reads as follows:
[Here follows text of document printed on page 603.]
Committee of Three meets again this afternoon to continue discussions regarding the Canton and Hankow situations. These too will present difficulties although I remain optimistic as to an early solution. General Chou conditioned his return to Chungking upon satisfactory arrangements regarding these matters. It is my hope within a very short time these problems will also be resolved and the Committee of Three can then visit Manchuria. It may prove desirable to visit Hankow and Canton immediately upon return from Manchuria.