811.20 Defense (M)/9000: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
1032. Department’s 736, August 15, 8 p.m. National Resources Commission is becoming increasingly concerned that it will not be able to supply sufficient quantities of wolfram at Kunming to load outgoing planes which took lot 670 tons in August (624 tons of wolfram) and which may have space in September for 1000 tons and perhaps more in October. Director of NRC undertakes to provide wolfram as rapidly as possible but desires that arrangement be made for shipment of tin if wolfram in sufficient quantity is not available. There are now 1000 tons of refined tin available at Kunming. Embassy has informed NRC that matter has been referred to Metals Reserve. Embassy assumes that, if Metals Reserve agrees to take tin, terms with regard to price, quality, etc., will be settled in Washington and that authorization will be given for CNAC to transport tin to Dinjan for $750 per ton as in the case of wolfram.