893.64A/12–1544
The Chinese Minister of Economic Affairs (Wong) to the Secretary of State 49
[Received January 2, 1945.]
Dear Sir: Upon the information that Dr. John L. Savage, Chief Designing Engineer of the Bureau of Reclamation of your Government, was due to arrive in India for consulting work at Punjab, this Ministry requested, through the Chinese Embassy in the USA, to your Department that Dr. Savage be detailed to China for consulting on a number of major hydro-electric power projects in this country. The request was promptly granted by your Department.
Dr. Savage arrived in China on May 25 and departed on November 24, 1944. During his sojourn in China, he has visited five major hydro power sites including the Yangtze Gorge which is but a few miles from the front. As a result of his work, some of our original designs have been affirmed and some greatly modified. Copies of his reports are being presented to Your Department through the U. S. Embassy in China.
His services are invaluable to the development of our hydro projects; his incessant work and fine spirit have been the source of great inspiration to all of us who are fortunate enough to have contact with him.
The possibility of U. S. assistance to build the Yangtze Gorge Project has been discussed with Mr. Donald M. Nelson50 who was deeply interested in its significance. It will not only help our industrialization, but will also solve the problem of flood control and navigation of the Yangtze River and improve the livelihood of our people to no small extent. The U. S. Government in helping China to build this project will earn the ever-lasting gratitude of the Chinese people.
[Page 1155]I wish to take this opportunity of expressing our deep appreciation to Your Department for sending Dr. Savage to our assistance. As the detail design of the Yangtze Gorge Project has yet to be done, we are negotiating with Your Bureau of Reclamation to do this work, which will be automatically under Dr. Savage’s supervision, and I earnestly hope that you may give your kind assistance for its early realization.
Yours sincerely,