893.34/11–2647: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—8:12 a.m.]
2298. Foreign Office states Foreign Minister now authorized sign agreement re transfer naval vessels. Tentative date December 8, 4 p.m.
Following minor changes in draft have been made:
- 1.
- Addition to article 3c submitted to Dept in numbered paragraph 1 of Embtel 2164, October 30 and approved by Deptel 1387, November 14.
- 2.
- Final sentence of agreement to read “…76 have signed this agreement in the English and Chinese languages, both in duplicate, at Nanking, China, this eighth day of December 1947, corresponding to the eighth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-sixth year of the Republic of China.[”] Chinese have insisted that agreement be signed in English and Chinese but have agreed to omit phrase that English and Chinese texts equally authentic. Embassy of opinion that inasmuch as draft agreement present in English and negotiations conducted in English, English text of agreement would be controlling in case differences develop subsequently between English and Chinese texts. Alternate to be used in title, body, date and signature.
- 3.
- Numbered paragraph 3 of schedule A modified in accordance refDeptel to read: “Limiting date for transfer: (a) vessels at Green Cove Springs, 31 December 1948; (b) other vessels, 1 July 1948”.
Final sentence numbered paragraph 4 schedule A to read, “all vessels to be transferred prior to limiting dates stated in 3 above.”
Exchange of letters to be signed at same time as agreement as outlined in paragraph 5, Embtel 2164.
Substance numbered paragraph 2 Deptel conveyed to Chinese who are reconciled to not receiving “on board” supply ammunition with vessels but profess apprehension that they may not be permitted purchase ammunition. They point out that, although vessels transferred without compensation, Chinese Government must invest substantial sums in bringing vessels to China and in reconditioning; that this investment nullified unless they permitted purchase ammunition. Foreign Office states that, while no intention delay signing agreement because of this point, Foreign Minister considers it highly desirable that letter to be signed at same time as agreement include maximum assurance possible Chinese Government will be permitted to purchase ammunition and suggests minimum assurance would be statement ammunition considered maintenance item under provisions article 3b. Statement this nature might be construed as limiting freedom of action of U. S. Government by committing it in advance to proposition that ammunition deemed by U. S. Government proper item for operation and maintenance of vessels.
Text proposed press release will be transmitted to Department shortly. Meanwhile please inform Embassy urgently whether Ambassador authorized sign agreement with modifications outlined above and of Department’s wishes in connection requested assurances regarding purchase of ammunition.
- Omission indicated in the original telegram.↩