893.24/1236: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:49 p.m.]
543. General Magruder has reported to the War Department on the recent military conference at Chungking. Recommendations adopted had Chinese concurrence but there is nothing as yet to indicate that we may expect early Chinese military activity against the Japanese in China.
It is particularly unfortunate at this time that as reported by Magruder to War Department the British in Rangoon, apparently acting with unauthorized agreement of United States Army officers on the spot, navy [have?] impounded certain lend-lease supplies consigned to China.59 Notwithstanding that these supplies may be needed by the British, this was an arbitrary and obtuse action which aroused deep resentment on the part of Chiang against both America and Britain. We may be certain that the incident will become known perhaps in distorted form. With tact the desired release could probably have been obtained and Chiang made to feel satisfaction that he had contributed something to allies in arms at a difficult time. I believe that everything possible should be done by the British to make amends for their action. While Magruder appears to have convinced Chiang that the action at Rangoon was unauthorized and contrary to policy of American Government, I feel that it should be made known to Chiang that the matter has come to the attention of the President who confirms the position as stated by Magruder and who at the same time has learned with gratification of the broadminded attitude of Chiang in overlooking the incident and agreeing to the release to the British at Burma of the immediately [Page 768] available supplies in question much needed by them in the present situation.
I have carefully refrained from intruding on operations of our military mission but in view of the political angles of the incident I cannot pass it without foregoing comment and recommendation.
- This is a reference to the Tulsa incident; for a documented account of the incident, see Charles F. Romanus and Riley Sunderland, Stilwell’s Mission to China (Washington, Department of the Army, 1953), pp. 57–60.↩