893.24/4–2247
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Ringwalt)
Dr. Wang,85 accompanied by Mr. Chen,86 called by appointment and opened the conversation by inquiring whether there had been [Page 823] any reaction to his previous informal inquiry in regard to the “Generalissimo” rifle ammunition. (Reference: CA’s memorandum of April 2 on the above mentioned subject, copy attached.87) I replied by stating that, although the matter had been given consideration by my superiors, so far as I knew there was no change in the established policy of withholding export licenses for arms and munitions to China.
Dr. Wang said that he wished to acquaint me with further developments and to approach the problem from a new angle. He called attention to the fact that some of the ammunition had been in storage in this country for several years and if shipment of this ammunition to China could be arranged it would be desirable to have it inspected thoroughly and reconditioned if necessary. He said that with this thought in mind he had already entered into negotiations with a reliable Belgian organization which was thoroughly equipped to perform this service. According to Dr. Wang, the ammunition would have to be shipped to Belgium for reconditioning; this could be arranged by either of two methods: (a) the ammunition could be declared surplus and sold to the Chinese who would turn it over to the Belgian company, or (b) it could be sold direct through surplus channels to the Belgian company which would make its own arrangements with China. In response to my inquiry Dr. Wang identified the Belgian company as the Fabrique Rationale.
I informed Dr. Wang that in my view his new approach to the subject did not alter the situation, that regardless of whether the ammunition were shipped via Belgium or shipped direct the ammunition was destined for an identical purpose, and that the established policy would therefore apply equally in either case. I agreed, however, to make a record of the conversation and submit it to my superiors.
Dr. Wang said that he felt that the whole matter should be reconsidered in the light of the “Truman Doctrine”.88 I replied that it would be beyond my competence to give him any opinion in this regard. Dr. Wang then asked whether in my opinion it would expedite matters at this time if the Ambassador himself approached the Secretary. I replied that it was my personal view that it would be well to continue discussions for the present on our level. He said [Page 824] that he and the Ambassador had temporarily reached the same conclusion and that for the present the Ambassador would not intervene in the matter.
- S. C. Wang, Chairman, Chinese Supply Commission.↩
- L. F. Chen, Chinese Supply Commission.↩
- Ante, p. 813.↩
- For President Truman’s address on March 12 before joint session of Congress, see Department of State Bulletin, March 23, 1947, p. 534. In this message the President declared the policy of the United States “to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures”, and in line with this policy recommended aid to Greece and Turkey. For documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. v, pp. 1 ff.↩