Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, China

811.20 Defense (M)/4057a: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)¹

Washington, December 27, 1941—6 p.m.

This Government in collaboration with the British is endeavoring to ascertain the availability of raw materials for joint defense needs during 1942 and subsequent years. Consequently, you are requested to use your best efforts to obtain and report by telegraph at the earliest possible moment at least preliminary answers to the questions hereunder enumerated. The Department realizes this involves some repetition of effort but confirmation of figures already furnished the Department is nevertheless requested. In your discretion, you may approach the appropriate department of the Government to which you are accredited and request official assistance in obtaining the data wherever this might be of help. In addition, you are authorized and instructed to make the fullest possible use of any representatives of the Bureau of Mines, the Federal Loan Agency or the Maritime Commission who might be available.

The raw materials for which data is requested in your district are the following: Antimony, tin (both as metal and as ore and concentrate), and tungsten.

1. What is maximum possible production for 1942 with existing facilities. This estimate should indicate the total production of the country, broken down to show (a) domestic consumption (b) commitments to foreign countries and (c) balance available for export to the United States. It may be that in your district the entire production cannot be moved to ports of shipment by reason of deficiency in local transportation facilities. If such is the case, please state the amount of each material which you estimate can be moved to ports of shipment during 1942. In the case of ores and nonmetallic minerals the information should provide as complete data as possible with respect to each of the important grades, including wherever possible an indication of the actual assays.

2. What are present stocks of these commodities at (a) point of production, (b) ports and (c) intermediary locations.

3. What is your best estimate as to the extent to which production and movement to the ports of these commodities might be increased during each of the years 1942 through 1945. The Department realizes that the determination of such an estimate involves consideration of many complicating factors, including price, availability of labor, capital, equipment and internal transportation facilities.

4. What is the nature and extent of the material and financial aid necessary to achieve any increased output referred to in numbered paragraph 3.

The Department recognizes the burden which has been placed upon your staff by numerous emergency requests of this general type. In view of the high importance attached to information along the above lines, however, you are requested to telegraph a preliminary reply within a week. It is realized that the complexities of questions 3 and 4 will limit such reply to the barest generalities. Further data as obtained by you should be telegraphed or, wherever feasible, airmailed later.

Hull

1. The same to a list of missions and consulates in ore-producing countries with the second paragraph changed to list strategic minerals mined in each area respectively.