893.20/515: Telegram
The Chargé in China ( Gauss ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 25—4 a.m.]
35. The Military Attaché informs me that at a recent conversation in Shanghai General Chiang Kai-shek urged that an American Army Air Force officer from the active list be assigned as aviation adviser to China to take charge of the Hangchow aviation school in succession to Jouett23 whose contract expires in June and who is not disposed to renew it. The Military Attaché informed General Chiang that he is certain that the American Government cannot entertain any such proposal.
The Legation has reason to believe that an effort may be made through Jouett or others to invite some fairly high ranking officer of the United States Army Air Force now on the active list to retire and accept appointment as Jouett’s successor.
- Col. John H. Jouett, U. S. Army Reserve.↩