893.51/1–845: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China ( Hurley )
Washington
, January 8,
1945—4 p.m.
40. For Adler2 from the Secretary of the Treasury.3
- 1.
- The Chinese Government is strongly urging me to give permission to export on commercial vessels large quantities of gold to China to the extent of $80 million worth of gold bars and $100 million of gold tokens. With the arrangements which they are prepared to make with the shipping companies it would be comparatively simple for the Chinese to export another $100 million or more of gold in the very near future.
- 2.
- In view of the current situation in China and of the need of the Chinese for conserving their foreign exchange resources for postwar needs, I have thus far not given my permission to the above requests.
- 3.
- I want you to discuss this matter thoroughly with General Hurley and inform me as quickly as possible of his views. [Morgenthau]
Stettinius