893.61A/12–1145: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Josselyn)53
330. ConGenstel 354, Dec. 11. Final plans for agricultural collaboration not yet possible since text of Chinese Government request not received in Washington. Dept views unchanged from Deptel 1359, Aug 29 to Chungking. Present conversations Agriculture envisage sending commission of eight to leave Washington approximately Mar 15, 1946, including six from lists A B and C in Embstel 1338, August 13 plus an extension specialist and a secretary. Impossible to include specialists in soybean and cotton processing. Sending commission in fiscal 1946 appears useful in its own right but much more so as introduction to continuing program which is now conditional on favorable action by Congress. If program approved and budget appropriated some members of 1946 commission might remain in China for extended terms. Plans that can now be made for commission however would terminate Aug 31, 1946.
Embassy’s consideration and recommendations requested on this outline. Also request confirmation estimate of desirable date arrival commission in China. Agriculture desires confirmation of adequacy of arrangements to be made by Chinese Government for collaboration including housing, staffing and travel in China for which Dept expects Chinese government assume responsibility. Agriculture suggests headquarters housing of mission provide for eight unaccompanied males at or near one place. Agriculture requests arrangements if possible for availability to mission of commissary and medical services of American armed forces.
- Repeated as No. 2072, December 28, to the Chargé in China.↩