Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

840.50 UNRRA/12–1545: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, December 15, 1945—10 a.m.
[Received December 15—7:15 a.m.]

2165. After consultation with UNRRA officials in Chungking and Shanghai, Embassy’s comments on points raised in Department’s circular telegram of December 4, 3 p.m.⁵³ are as follows:

1. Assuming that tentatively agreed upon figure of $550,000,000 for China is carried out, it is unlikely that UNRRA field mission will suggest any changes in schedules revised after end of war, unless there are difficulties in securing one category or another. It is possible that Chinese Government itself may suggest changes. Current trend in their thinking is to put emphasis on transportation and basic raw materials rather than on processed foodstuffs or industrial equipment.

2. Embassy is in a position to make only a perfunctory examination of the program. On the basis of this examination it believes that the program is on the whole a fairly well balanced one. Embassy is of opinion that Chinese tendency to emphasize transportation and raw materials is a correct one and that some revision in this direction might be useful. Emphasis on railroad equipment should have very careful consideration with relation to local political situation. As long as Communist forces operate freely, it seems likely that they will tear up railroad equipment as fast as it is laid down. There are, of course, areas in which this does not apply and emphasis should be there rather than in questionable ones. Possibly more should be done to expand river transport program.

3. While tentative allocations is only one half of the Chinese request, Embassy is of opinion that it is a reasonable figure in relation to China’s ability to effectively utilize and absorb a large volume of supplies.

4. UNRRA officials regard food, clothing, medical supplies and transportation as of primary importance and the first to be supplied. The character of the supplies should be in the field of raw materials rather than processed goods wherever practicable. If cutbacks must be made discussions with UNRRA officials indicate they should be made in industrial equipment, fishing equipment and tractors.

5. China’s allocation is admittedly low both in relation to her absolute needs and also on a per capita basis. But according to UNRRA surveys present organization of CNRRA, silted condition of rivers at leading ports and lack of water, railroad, and highway transportation facilities all render it extremely doubtful if not improbable whether China will be able to accept delivery of and distribute even the $350,000,000 allotment for the first 6 months of 1946. Therefore it appears that it would not be economically desirable at this time to increase or to raise the question of increasing China’s allotment.

According to reliable sources, CNRRA is burdened with the difficult administrative problems confronting most Chinese Government agencies. While efforts are currently being made by UNRRA to aid CNRRA in improving its internal administration, and while CNRRA is delegating some of its responsibilities to other Chinese Government agencies, unless and until definite evidence is forthcoming that present allocation can be more efficiently handled there is little point in considering increasing it, Hendrickson discussed with Chargé certain administrative weaknesses in both CNRRA and UNRRA field mission in China just before leaving for America and consultation with him will reveal practical problems involved.

Robertson

53. Not printed; it requested an appraisal from various diplomatic missions on summaries of proposed UNRRA programs, which summaries were contained in another circular telegram, also not printed, of the same date (840.50 UNRRA/12–445).