893.34/5–1944
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Vincent)58
In regard to the Chinese request for naval vessels,59 I believe that in our consideration of the matter we should be sympathetic and, subject to the ability of the navy actually to supply the ships requested, should act favorably upon the request. In doing so, however, we should have in mind long range policy in regard to our own post-war naval position in relation to a possible Chinese navy. It is reasonably clear that the Chinese desire to build up a navy after the war. It is also reasonably clear that the Chinese cannot afford, and if they could, probably could not effectively operate a balanced powerful navy. I do not think we wish to encourage the Chinese, therefore, in endeavoring to have a large navy.
If we grant the present Chinese request, the Chinese will in all probability make subsequent requests of us and of the British for naval vessels. They have also indicated unofficially that they would like to have captured Japanese naval vessels turned over to them. In considering the probable subsequent requests, we should bear in mind the considerations outlined in the foregoing paragraph.
Another thought which occurs to me is that our Navy may wish to encourage the assembling under the Chinese flag of naval vessels which, while not constituting a balanced naval force, might prove useful as an arm or adjunct of our own naval force and which could, in case of necessity, operate with our Navy. Such a force might be of a character which (1) would not constitute heavy financial burden on the Chinese, (2) would not be difficult of operation by the Chinese, (3) would serve some practical purpose for the Chinese as well as satisfy the consideration of “face”, and (4) would not constitute a potential threat to our own Navy.
- Addressed to the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs and to the Under Secretary of State; submitted to the Secretary of State by the Under Secretary with his memorandum of May 24, p. 83.↩
- See letter of May 12 from the Acting Chairman, China Defense Supplies, Inc., to the Secretary of the Navy, p. 71.↩