Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
General Marshall to the Commander of the Seventh Fleet (Cooke)
217. Refer your 170315.84 I am somewhat confused at present state of basis of negotiations. Can not the matter be quickly settled with a simple general provision or reservation providing that the value of the surplus property involved will be met by services rendered US Navy in the dockyards concerned, the Chinese Government guaranteeing to our Navy immediate services in emergency cases and services of at least or not to exceed 25 percent of capacity as normal procedure. A time limit for settlement from both our naval and diplomatic point of view is undesirable in my opinion. The longer the period of settlement the better. Johnson’s fears of difficulty in proceeding on such basis I believe can be met by clear explanation of what we are after. We will have to keep the radio exchanges with Washington above conservative planner and departmental contract official level. The procedure and purpose are both abnormal and should be handled accordingly.
- Not printed, but see footnote 83, above.↩