Office of the Historian

501.BB/11–446: Telegram

Senator Austin to the Secretary of State

top secret
urgent
New York, November 4, 1946—8 p.m.
[Received 8:02 p.m.]

757. Chinese Ambassador Wellington Koo49 in conversation with me today said he had interpreted my remarks October 30 with regard to armed forces as indicating US assent to giving information on forces and bases in all countries outside national boundaries.50 I told Mr. Koo that my remarks extended to information concerning armed forces at home as well as abroad.

The Ambassador said he wished to be frank in stating that this might be very embarrassing to his government. Referring to relations of Chinese Government with Communists in China he said his Government would scarcely wish to reveal to the Communists the size and disposition of government forces, bases, and airfields in China.51

I thanked Mr. Koo for bringing this aspect of the matter to my attention and assured him that my Government would wish to weigh it carefully in developing its position with regard to the armed forces item.

Foregoing has been communicated to Cohen for the Secretary with special reference to Deptel 253 of October 29.52

  1. V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese Delegate to the General Assembly.↩
  2. In regard to Mr. Austin’s address to the General Assembly on October 30, see footnote 26, p. 975.↩
  3. For documentation on United States policy with respect to the situation in China, see volumes ix and x .↩
  4. Ante, p. 971.↩