Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

893.154/315: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

Chungking , March 24, 1941—10 a.m.
[Received March 24—9:56 a.m.]

109. Department’s 64, March 21, 7 p.m.¹⁷ I read substance thereof to Baker¹⁸ yesterday who stated that he thought it premature to discuss proposal now. For the Department’s information Baker stated that he had had satisfactory meetings with Generalissimo and heads of Southwest Transportation Company and China Transportation Company, that he had gone over the recent report on the Burma Road by General Yu Fei-peng¹⁹ and that he was today beginning his inspection of the road from here to Lashio by starting with the Chungking terminal facilities. He stated that he expected to assume his title on May 1 after personally informing himself of the road and its needs.

Johnson

17. Not printed.
18. John Earl Baker, American Inspector General-designate of the Yunnan–Burma Highway Transport and Engineering Supervisory Commission, in process of formation.
19. Minister of Transport and Supplies Board, Chinese National Military Council, from 1937; chairman of the Yunnan–Burma Highway Transport and Engineering Supervisory Commission on completion of organization about May 1941.