#5-573
To Walter S. Robertson1 and Brigadier
General Thomas S. Timberman
October 6, 1946 Radio No. GOLD 1606. [Nanking, China]
Top Secret, Eyes Only
The Generalissimo has agreed to halt advance on Kalgan for a period of ten days (date of initiation not yet determined) to permit further discussions here regarding number of seats to be held by Communist Party in the State Council, the submission by Communists of delegates to National Assembly, and the terms for the implementation of 25 February reorganization agreement. The Communist are not yet aware of this proposal and may not agree.
In order to supervise and control activities, both Government and Communist, in the field it presumably is to be agreed that teams will be quickly dispatched to insure the observation of the truce as regards movements or regrouping of troops. Government representation will be omitted from teams within the Communist lines and Communist representation will be omitted from teams within Government lines. Full representation will be had on teams or team between the lines. The American member to have complete authority to determine where and when a team shall go and both sides to guarantee general safe conduct. The American member to make reports direct to Central Control team, if there is such, or to Executive Headquarters commissioners.
This truce is to apply to operations against Kalgan and is not to be confused with a general cessation of hostilities.
Make your plans accordingly but until receipt of notice of acceptance of truce by both parties do not disclose foregoing information to any Chinese.
I don’t know how many teams or how many individuals should be involved, you are a better judge of that, but it should be a considerable number in order to avoid any recriminations.
Document Copy Text Source: Records of the Department of State (RG 59), Lot Files, Marshall Mission, Military Affairs, GOLD Messages, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.
Document Format: Typed radio message.
1. October 11 would be Robertson’s last day as U.S. Commissioner at Executive Headquarters. Lieutenant General Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., replaced him and also assumed command of the Peiping Headquarters Group.
Recommended Citation: ThePapers of George Catlett Marshall, ed.Larry I. Bland and Sharon Ritenour Stevens (Lexington, Va.: The George C. Marshall Foundation, 1981– ). Electronic version based on The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, vol. 5, “The Finest Soldier,” January 1, 1945–January 7, 1947 (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), pp. 711–712.