Office of the Historian

893.24/5–2847: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk)

Washington, June 4, 1947—7 p.m.

771. Schroeder’s ref to sending armed ships to China apparently based on recent Executive Order7 implementing Public Law 512 of July 16, 19468 by virtue of which the President was authorized to transfer to China up to 271 naval vessels (Embtel 856, May 28).

Ruling temporarily to withhold export licenses covering shipment munitions to China, adopted July 29, 1946 during period of General Marshall’s mission, was rescinded last week. In your discretion you may inform Loridan.

Marshall
  1. Executive Order 9843, April 25, Department of State Bulletin, May 4, 1947, p. 821, or 12 Federal Register 2763.↩
  2. 60 Stat. 539.↩