893.014/10–2546: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)

979. Subject of air mapping survey has been discussed informally with concerned officials War Dept who have been orally advised Dept’s complete concurrence Emb’s recommendations (Embtel 1737 Oct 25, paragraph 4).10

[Page 1267]

Although Dept realizes present availability personnel and equipment constitute factor in favor early implementation of agreement nevertheless Dept believes over-all political considerations should not be sacrificed to administrative and mechanical expediency.11

Byrnes
  1. Telegram No. 1020, November 8, 7 p.m., to the Ambassador in China, stated: “For your info[rmation] General Eisenhower [Chief of Staff] has sent message to General Marshall re subject of your 1737 and our 979 which is in line with our thinking.”
  2. Subsequent telegrams (not printed) indicated that, with the exception of Formosa, all Chinese areas, including Manchuria, were deleted from the War Department mapping program, and the Department requested that the Ambassador in China notify the Chinese Government that no further action was contemplated with reference to the program. Renewal of discussions on the program, however, began in April 1947.