#5-391
To Walter S. Robertson and Brigadier General Henry A. Byroade
[March 10?, 1946] [Chungking, China]
Secret, Eyes Only
Instructions are being sent to cover the dispatch of field teams into Manchuria. These instructions are self-explanatory. I desire that great care be taken in the selection of the U.S. membership of the teams and that the American officer be given these secret instructions.
“In the event that a Russian demand is made for representation with the team during its transaction of business, the American member will acquiesce with casual politeness, not consulting the Russian as to detailed procedure, but merely informing him of when a meeting is to be held or a visit is to be made by either party. The representative from the Central Government will make no comment whatever. It is hoped that the American can carry the ball without discussion. Should the Russian object to the procedure or the decisions in such a manner as to create an issue, the American should make certain that that issue is clearly defined, and if it is important and there is not, in his opinion, reasonable justification for the Russian attitude, the matter will be reported to the Executive Headquarters and in turn to the Committee of Three for consideration on this level.”
I am leaving tomorrow for the United States and General Gillem will represent me on the Committee during my absence.
Document Copy Text Source: Records of the Department of State (RG 59), Lot Files, Marshall Mission, War Department, Originals, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.
Document Format: Typed memorandum.
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. 498–499.