893.415/63
The Consul General at Kunming (Langdon) to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)77
Sir: As of possible interest, I have the honor to transmit herewith a translation of an item in the Yun Nan Jih Pao of May 2778 in regard [Page 85] to the Chinese program for honoring our 176 war dead buried in the two Kunming cemeteries, the United States military cemetery and the general foreign cemetery.
Chaplain Kelly of the Fourteenth Air Force, in charge of the American arrangements on Memorial Day, has informed me that the warmth of feeling of the local authorities and people on this occasion, their desire to pay homage to the dead in an elaborate and representative manner, is almost embarrassing to our military authorities, who had only a very simple ceremony in mind. These authorities, however, have no wish to put a wet blanket on the enthusiasm of the Chinese, and are in the course of working out with the latter a program that will prevent this enthusiasm from getting out of hand.
It will be noted that the Chinese have appropriated CN$200,000 to meet the expenses of the ceremonies. I may add that the feeling of the Chinese is quite spontaneous, and that Governor Lung Yun, since the middle of the month, through representatives sent to this office, has been asking for advice and suggestions as to how appropriately to demonstrate his respect and honor of our war dead in Yunnan.
Respectfully yours,