893.20 Missions/10–2446: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to
the Secretary of State
Nanking, October
24, 1946—4 p.m.
[Received 5 p.m.]
1730. Foreign Office has given Embassy following draft of “agreed
minutes” which it suggests be attached to the US Military Advisory Group
agreement, indicating that it believed that these pro
forma or minor procedural points could best be made without
changing the wording of the agreement itself:
- “1. With reference to article 4 (b)
it is understood that a notice shall be given to the Chinese
Government prior to the recall of the entire personnel of
the group by the Government of the US.
- 2. With reference to article 13, it is understood that
request for exemption from customs duties on material,
equipment, supplies and goods imported for official use of
the group or the personal use of the members the group and
of members of their families, after having been approved by
the Ambassador of the US, shall be transmitted to the
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a view to issuing
instructions to the Chinese customs authorities. Previous
notices shall be given to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in the event that such material, equipment, supplies
and goods as mentioned above are reshipped from
China.
- 3. With reference to article 21, it is understood that, in
cases involving Chinese nationals, the Chinese Government
shall be informed through diplomatic channel of actions
taken by the American service courts and
authorities.”
Foreign Office questioned as to acceptability of articles 16, 17 and 19
as redrafted (Deptel 418, July 8, 7 p.m., and subsequent telegrams),
made typical reply that in its opinion suggested change[s] were
acceptable to Chinese Government but that Ministry National Defense
would not wish to commit itself unnecessarily far in advance of
signature.
