661.9331/10–2046: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 20—7:30 a.m.]
1704. Embassy has found it possible to confirm from responsible Foreign Office official information supplied in Embtel 1649, October 12, 4 p.m. It has also been given to understand that Soviet proposals included joint operation of a tin mine and a wolfram mine, but the suggestion was not made that all such mines should be so exploited. As Dept is aware, Russia has for past dozen years been a large importer of molybdenum from US and for many purposes wolfram can be blended by steelmakers with other ferrous alloys in substitution for molybdenum. Furthermore, it is indispensable to the machine-tool industry.
Foreign Minister24 has had interview with Soviet Ambassador25 in the matter of withdrawal of Soviet railways officials from Mukden area and expressed hope that no officials would be withdrawn except those who were ill or who were being replaced in view of desirability of China and Russia working out satisfactorily their joint problems.