811.42793/586: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
Chungking, April 15,
1942—1 p.m.
[Received 3:04 p.m.]
[Received 3:04 p.m.]
417. Department’s 246, April 2, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- The Embassy feels that the Chinese Government should furnish quarters and transportation in China to the experts. The matter has been brought informally to the attention of the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs who indicated concurrence and undertook to give the Embassy a definite reply later. It was not considered advisable to make a point of whether such accommodations should be furnished gratis, but it is my opinion that such will be the case.
- 2.
- The Vice Minister has orally inquired when the various experts requested may be expected to arrive in China.
- 3.
- It should be pointed out that living costs, food and clothing in particular, are extremely high here and are rising; that the experts [Page 711] should receive a substantial per diem; and that they should arrange such allotments of salary as may be desired before leaving America.
- 4.
- The Embassy does not consider that more than 20 experts in addition to the 10 already requested could be effectively employed in China in present circumstances. There is no doubt that a great many medical doctors, educators, and technical experts are needed in China, but the Embassy believes that the scale and objective of the Department’s program do not envisage so general an approach to the problem. The Chinese Government is now giving consideration to the matter on the basis of a possible 20 additional experts. While the Embassy has endeavored and will continue to endeavor to influence the choice of experts at lines which it considers in keeping with Department’s program, it is convinced that any experts sent out should be sent in response to requests from the Chinese Government. A tentative suggestion in regard to the general character of additional experts would include 2 or more public health experts; several medical doctors; 1 or more nutrition specialists; a number of agricultural experts familiar with experimental farming practice, farming marketing cooperative organizations, et cetera; a number of economics teachers with modern outlook; and such technicians, engineers, et cetera, as the Chinese Government might reasonably require.
- 5.
- The Minister of Economics explains that the mechanical engineer mentioned in paragraph 4 of Embassy’s 280, March 27, 9 a.m. should be a machine shop specialist—if possible a man competent to advise on the production and utilization (adaptation of machinery).
- 6.
- Major Pyle has arrived in Chungking and has reported to the military mission.
Gauss