893.243/5–2647
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Ringwalt)
Dr. Tan5 called in connection with my telephone call of May 26, 1947 in which I informed him that we would be prepared to authorize the transfer to China of the “Generalissimo” rifle ammunition and that [Page 836] the Department would be inclined to view favorably requests for export licenses covering shipments of arms to China. Dr. Tan inquired whether the Department would also now view favorably the completion of the military phase of the 8⅓ Air Group Program. He stressed the view expressed by the Chinese Air Attaché that combat aircraft were among the items most highly desired in connection with the maintenance of China’s air force in a manner originally contemplated at the time the Program was drafted.
I informed Dr. Tan that I was able to give him the Department’s considered view in regard to this question. I said that a decision had been reached on a high level to authorize the transfer to China through OFLC of transport planes and spare parts for equipment supplied under the 8⅓ Air Group Program, including spare parts for combat aircraft.
Dr. Tan did not yet appear to be satisfied and renewed the request for the inclusion of combat aircraft in the 8⅓ Air Group Program. When I stated that to authorize the inclusion of combat aircraft would be beyond the scope of my authority he asked my view whether an appeal from his Ambassador to the Secretary might win him over to the Chinese view. I expressed the personal opinion that no useful purpose would be served by such action, at least for the present.
- Shao-Hwa Tan, Minister of the Chinese Embassy.↩