893.796/355a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
1458. Department requests that you make every effort to clarify as discreetly as possible the alleged formation of a British-Chinese air transport corporation, referred to in your 1796 of September 24, your 1849 of October 2, and 1859 of October 4. There is a discrepancy between the information given you by the British Ambassador and the statement of the Chinese Minister of Communications. The Department is especially anxious to learn whether American Lend-Lease aircraft assigned to the Chinese Government are to be used [Page 684] in a newly created British-Chinese commercial venture. Please keep the Department fully advised of all developments.