811.24593/9–2946: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 30—4:45 a.m.]
1559. Embassy advises against employment ship transfer (re Commander Sev Fleet telegram 210405Z, September 2377) as means of obtaining rights to use for 5 years of Kiangwan and Tsingtao air fields since it would lay the U. S. open to serious charge of buying bases on Chinese soil, with attendant repercussions, and merely for de jure right of partial use of these fields for supply purposes. Furthermore, such use in all probability can be obtained by informal arrangement in connection with the activation of the Army and Navy advisory group. In fact, General McConnell, Chief Nanking Headquarters Air Division, has just concluded an arrangement with General Chou, Commanding General Chinese Air Forces, to take care of situation arising out of the deactivation of the U. S. China Service Command in Shanghai on September 30. Although the operational control of the Kiangwan air base will pass to the Chinese Air Force on that date, “the 1580th AAFMSF Unit, Air Transport Command, and the weather communications, and other personnel incident to control of clearance and operations of American military aircraft (including American Naval and Marine aircraft) will be permitted to remain and to continue their functions as heretofore” in accordance with certain specific provisos.
This telegram has General Marshall’s approval.
- Not printed.↩