893.24/1527a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
211. 1. A radio transmitter requested by the Chinese in November 1941 under Lend Lease and approved by the appropriate agencies of this Government has been completed and is ready for shipment. During the latter part of 1942 the question of diverting this transmitter for the use of agencies of this Government arose. At that time inquiry was made of Dr. Alfred C. Sze,21 in the absence of Dr. Soong, in regard to the importance attached by the Chinese Government to this equipment. Dr. Sze informed the Department that the transmitter was intended for use partially for broadcasting within China and also to maintain continuous communication with the United States and that the need for the transmitter was both important and immediate. These and other factors were given careful consideration by the appropriate departments of this Government, including the War Department, and it was unanimously agreed that this equipment should not be diverted but be shipped to Chungking with as little delay as possible. The Department has now been informed that in a message dated January 26 received by the War Department, General Stilwell stated that shipment of this equipment, which he referred to as a psychological warfare radio transmitter, would mean the abandonment of various vital projects and he strongly recommended, in view of air transport limitations, the indefinite postponement of the shipment until such time as land communications are reopened.
2. While the Department is fully aware of the limitations imposed on the shipment of supplies by air and of the consideration that other supplies may be more vital and necessary, it believes, in view of the delicacy at the present time of the question of the shipment of supplies to China, that it would be advisable, if the Embassy perceives no objection, to bring to the attention of Dr. Soong or to a member of the Generalissimo’s staff the difficulty of shipping this transmitter into Chungking in the immediate future in view of the considerations mentioned by General Stilwell. It is also suggested that the Embassy ascertain whether the transmitter is urgently needed, the relative importance attached by the Chinese authorities to this equipment and, having in mind the Embassy’s 845, July 16, 1942, 10 a.m.,22 the purpose for which the Chinese intend to use it.
3. It is suggested that before taking this matter up with Dr. Soong or other Chinese officials you discuss it with General Stilwell and [Page 499] that he be informed of the history of the matter here, the effort made, the decision arrived at, and the Department’s present suggestion and the reasons therefor.
Please report developments and make such comment as you may desire.
- Sao-ke Alfred Sze, former Chinese Ambassador in the United States.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1942, China, p. 584.↩