893.24/1320: Telegram
President Roosevelt’s Personal Representative in India (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16—2:30 p.m.]
187. For the President and Acting Secretary. I have from M. X. Quinn Shaughnessy, Advisor to the China Defense Supplies, the following signed memorandum: [Page 676]
“Sole movement war supplies to China since fall of Rangoon as follows: Since March 7, army allocated 2 C–39’s by Stilwell to fly freight to China. Two hundred tons urgent medical supplies moved Calcutta for shipment to Lashio. Less than 12 tons were moved by army planes due to pilot illness and maintenance difficulties. During same period Chinese National Airways moved 27 tons aircraft parts and medical supplies from Calcutta in addition to its other war cargo. Chinese National Airways has only 4 planes available, 2 of which were allocated to Calcutta–Chungking service.
April 8 Chinese National Airways inaugurated service from Dinjan, Assam, to Myitkyina, Burma, with 2 planes moving 16 tons per day, aviation gasoline and ammunition. One of the two army C–39’s (carrying army passengers not freight) lost on flight from Chungking to Kunming, landed 150 miles from Canton near Japanese lines. Probably caused [by?] army pilots having only 300 to 400 hours. Plane wrecked, Chinese National Airways mechanics endeavored to salvage.
In February President allocated 100 transports ferry freight India to China, 75 to army, 25 to Chinese National Airways. Three for army have arrived, 6 more due. No planes delivered to Chinese National Airways. Believe this delay forwarding planes due primarily to discouraging reports by the army on operations’ feasibility. Understand army insists on new airports and has advised Washington that little freight can be carried until end of monsoon in October and is making the limited freight movement only as token good faith.
We now have 2,000 tons ordnance, aircraft parts, signal equipment, medical supplies urgently requested Stilwell, 700 tons of which now in Assam. China National Airways guarantees to move 10 tons per plane per day. I doubt seriously army will move any. Because of army discouraging report, shipping space from America being taken away for our army now fighting in this field. Present rail movement across India available but duration uncertain. If Stilwell is to be aided and China supported must have improved and experienced operation that will insure freight movement Karachi to China. In the interest of getting the job done, I prefer to see Pan American and China National Airways handle the whole business.”
I concur completely in Shaughnessy’s suggestion. After observing parallel operations army ferry command and Pan American across Africa I am convinced that expeditions and vital aid to China can most quickly and most certainly be accomplished by Lease-Lend contract through army to Pan American and China National Airways. Recommended White House direct army make such arrangements Pan American and China National Airways fixing few days time limit for consummation contracts to avoid army red tape and further delay. To aid Stilwell this and the delivery of planes for purpose to China National Airways and Pan American in India immediately most vital.
[Page 677]My No. 186, April 15, 3 p.m.9 stating that agreement had been reached was in error.
- Not printed.↩