893.24/1531b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
245. BEW and OLLA are sending Gordon Bowles and mechanic to India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Iran, and China to explore motorable routes through Russian Turkestan and Afghanistan with view to opening up new channel for supply of goods to China to supplement motor-rail route via Baluchistan, Iran and Russian Turkestan, which is now under joint discussion by Soviet, Chinese and British governments.
Since Soviet Embassy has not granted visas to Bowles and mechanic, they will explore routes only as far as Soviet border. They plan to proceed first to New Delhi; thence through Kabul to Afghan frontier posts opposite Soviet border. They then plan to return to New Delhi and proceed thence through Baluchistan and eastern Iran to Meshed and Soviet border and return. After return to New Delhi they plan to proceed through one of Northwest Indian frontier passes (Kilik, Mintaka, etc.) to Yarkand and Kashgar by caravan and thence to Chungking. Bowles departed from Washington January 12.
Please inform Chinese Foreign Office of Bowles’ proposed trip to ascertain whether or not they have any objection, and, if they have no objection, request any steps deemed advisable to facilitate Bowles’ travels in Chinese territory.
BEW is contemplating sending procurement mission to China. If mission has been dispatched by time Bowles reaches Chungking, he will be attached to it as assistant to the head of the mission. Otherwise he will return to the United States from Chungking.
You are authorized to pay expenses of despatching official cables for Bowles. Charges incurred should be included in your accounts accordance Section V–45 for reimbursement by BEW accordance authorization contained in their letter of November 24, 1942.