811.42793/8–2444: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
A–197. Embassy’s telegram 1450, August 24, noon. It seems doubtful whether transportation can be arranged this autumn for any considerable portion of the 1,200 students mentioned. If, however, [Page 1151] even 400 arrived they might create a problem for the leading universities which the majority probably have selected. About 6 of the universities having large numbers of foreign and especially Chinese students have urged the Department to take the initiative in attempting to solve problems such as the tendency of Chinese students to congregate in the New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco Bay areas. In order to equip itself as a clearing house for consultation on these matters the Department would like to receive early information by air mail concerning each student who completes preparations necessary to commence his journey to the United States. The most satisfactory method of obtaining adequate information would be to induce each applicant for visa to fill out the University Application Form sent to the Embassy with the Department’s instruction no. 660 of May 23, 1944.46 No legal compulsion exists requiring that the visa applicant fill out this form but it is evident from statements by university authorities that they will give special attention to the cases of students submitting this form. If students are unwilling to fill out the form the Department requests that visa officers report separately by air mail the name, the selected college and the field of study of each applicant as visas are granted. The Department desires also for use in this phase of the program of cultural cooperation an additional copy of the précis of investigations and an appraisal by the visa officer of the student’s fluency in English for purposes of enrollment in an American institution.
The Department again suggests that in granting student visas officers utilize to the fullest extent the powers granted to them by law and regulations and such practical means as may be available to verify absence of active tubercular tendencies in face applicant and his assurance of an income of at least $100 monthly during contemplated sojourn over and above travel charges. In latter connection please refer to Department’s 525 of February 18, 194446 recounting experience of student Tsung-chen Tsao.