123G231/593: Telegram

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

280. You are instructed proceed Department for consultation. Transportation expenses and per diem from Chungking to Washington and return authorized subject to Travel Regulations including per diem while in Department subject to Note 15a of Accounts Supplement E, chargeable “Transportation Foreign Service”. Travel by air authorized.

Department assumes you will be able arrange priority from Chungking and upon receipt of word from you will be glad to take matter up with War Department here if desired.

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If you depart before arrival Vincent’s15 successor16 you should turn charge of office over to Vincent. Before making final arrangements for departure you should inform Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and the acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in confidence of your contemplated plans, mentioning in this connection the fact that you have not been in the United States since this country entered the war. Please telegraph Department after you have informed the Chinese of your plans. In event Chinese raise no objection in connection with your plans you are authorized to let it be known informally that you have been instructed to proceed United States for consultation.

Berle
  1. John Carter Vincent, Counselor of Embassy in China, transferred to the Department.
  2. George Atcheson, Jr., formerly Assistant Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs.