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The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Adm. Charles M. Cooke, Jr. confirms Chinese Communists ambushed a US Marine convoy near Peiping on July 29, killing four Marines; US forces in North China to remain at 22,000-23,000 strength and defend themselves. Rumors of US withdrawal denied in Nanking, Washington, and by Pres. Truman's secretary.
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SHANGHAI, Aug. 5—American Marines in North China are remaining at their full current strength and "when we are attacked we are going to shoot back," Adm. Charles M. Cooke, Jr., commander of the U. S. Seventh Fleet, told a news conference today as he discussed the July 29 ambushing of a Marine convoy near Peiping.
He identified the attackers, who killed four Marines, as Chinese Communists. It was the first official identification of them.
In Nanking, the pro-government newspaper Ta Kang Pao said yesterday that "the hottest rumor here is that President Truman has instructed General Marshall to prepare plans for withdrawal of U. S. forces from China" to avoid another such incident.
Washington sources said they knew of no basis for such a report; and in Independence, Mo., where President Truman was vacationing, Presidential Secretary Charles G. Ross said he knew of no order for withdrawal.
There have been some reductions in Marine personnel in China in the past, Admiral Cooke told newsmen, but "there are none now in progress or ordered."
Present Marine strength in China is 22,000 to 23,000 men, he said. (Unofficial estimates at the peak, months ago, were 50,000.)
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
North China
Event Date
July 29 Ambush; Aug. 5 Statements
Key Persons
Outcome
four marines killed; no withdrawal plans; current strength 22,000 to 23,000 men
Event Details
American Marines in North China remaining at full strength and will shoot back if attacked, per Adm. Cooke at Shanghai news conference on Aug. 5. He identified attackers in July 29 Peiping convoy ambush as Chinese Communists, first official identification. Nanking newspaper reports rumor of Truman instructing Marshall to plan US forces withdrawal; denied by Washington sources and Ross in Independence, Mo. Past Marine reductions occurred, but none now.