893.24/1432: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
897. “Following message from Stettinius22 for J. Franklin Ray:23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regarding the supply route via Karachi, Ashkhabad, Sergiopol to Lanchow and Chungking, the negotiations are progressing. The request of the British and Chinese Ambassadors in Moscow to move Chinese material over the Turkestan-Siberian Railroad has been approved in principle by the Soviet Government. Notification of such approval has been made to the Chinese by the Soviet Government.
The ability to move up to 8,000 tons per month of Chinese material to Meshed, Iran has been made known to OLLA by UKCC through London. Regarding the quantity that can be moved on the Turkestan-Siberian Railroad and the details of transportation, no commitment has been made by Russia up to the present time. By the use of gas producers and other trucks in China, the Chinese here inform us that they can move 3,000 tons per month at the present time from Sergiopol. In connection with the transport problems, the Russian Government has instructed CFT to conduct negotiations. BSC, CDS, and OLLA are working on problems from this end.
Could you give us the following information?
- 1.
- What is the condition of the northwest highway?
- 2.
- What trucking facilities does this route afford?
- 3.
- Is it possible to divert gas producers now in China to this route and how many can be diverted?
- 4.
- What trade relations by way of Sinkiang exist between the Chinese and the Russians?
- 5.
- Please provide all available information concerning northwest highway.
- 6.
- What is the gasoline production in Kansu and can this route be supplied from that source?
In the near future it is expected by us to start manufacture for this route of 500 gas producers a month.
For the purpose of moving it into China as quickly as possible, the Chinese desire to move to Sergiopol or Tahcheng, Turkestan as much material as possible. 29,000 tons of arsenal material have been released by us to U. S. War Department on commitment from Patterson24 to make available from War Department allocations similar [Page 609] material when opening of the routes to China is accomplished. 13,000 tons of material of Chinese specifications have been retained by us.
Release for shipment of banknote printing paper has been requested by China. It will be appreciated if you can investigate the facilities for printing currency in China and instruct us regarding whether in place of the finished notes you deem it advisable to ship paper.”