893.24/1306½
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Commercial Policy and Agreements (Hawkins)1
At his press conference last Friday, Mr. Welles2 was asked whether there are any prospects of concluding a lend-lease agreement with China in the near future and Mr. Welles’ reply was non-committal.
This suggests that immediate consideration should be given to negotiating a lend-lease agreement with China along the lines of the agreement with the United Kingdom signed on February 23.3
There is attached a copy of a memorandum of March 54 to Mr. Acheson5 setting forth in general terms why it is believed that all lend-lease agreements should so far as practicable be similar to the British lend-lease agreement. It is believed that these general principles are fully applicable in the case of China. Particularly it is believed that the terms of a master lend-lease agreement with China, in view of the importance of that country’s role in the war, should be no less favorable than the terms of the British agreement.
I would be glad to discuss this matter with you at your convenience.
- Addressed to the Acting Chief of the Division of Exports and Defense Aid (Bunn), the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton), and the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck).↩
- Sumner Welles, Under Secretary of State.↩
- Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 241, or 56 Stat. 1433.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Dean Acheson, Assistant Secretary of State.↩