893.20/302: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—6:10 a.m.]
Please paraphrase following from Lieutenant Colonel Drysdale for War Department:
“T. V. Soong, Vice Chairman of the Executive Yuan, requests me to secure the services for the Chinese Government of a group of qualified Americans to organize and operate an air school where military aviators may be trained. This may be considered an authoritative request from the Chinese Government. Soong stated that the services of Army officers on active list was not essential.
In case an American mission is not sent Chinese will certainly secure services of other nationals. The presence of such a mission in China will be invaluable in increasing the use here of American planes and [Page 583] equipment. I consider its importance commercially warrants the careful selection of a nonofficial group of qualified American aviators by some suitable and interested American interests, the mission to be made available to the Chinese Government immediately after the termination of the present critical Sino-Japanese situation.
Soong will make a formal request upon information that such a request will receive favorable consideration. I request reply at earliest convenience. The American Minister concurs.”