893.34/12–347: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—11:51 p.m.]
2331. Unless otherwise instructed Embassy proposes issue following press release December 8, 4 p.m. Nanking time (0800 December 8 GMT) at time signing agreement regarding transfer naval vessels.
“An agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of China concerning the transfer of naval vessels and equipment pursuant to United States Public Law 512—79th Congress of the United States of America was signed today 8:00 p.m. in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. His Excellency, Dr. Wang Shih-chieh, Minister for Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement for the Government of the Republic of China and the Honorable J. Leighton Stuart, Ambassador of the United States of America at Nanking, signed for the Government of the United States of America.
The agreement implements Public Law 512 passed by the 79th Congress of the United States on July 16, 1947 by providing for the transfer to the Government of the Republic of China without reimbursement of certain naval vessels, craft and floating dry docks which have been found to be in excess of the naval needs of the United States. Part of the vessels covered by the agreement have already been turned over to the Chinese Navy under the provisions of Lend-Lease while the remainder are to be transferred during the coming year.
The vessels, of which no combat ship exceeds a destroyer escort in size, have been transferred to China to assist the Chinese Government in policing its coastal and inland waters and protecting and improving the safety of navigation in its waters.
Provision is also made in the agreement for the reconditioning of the vessels, for the obtaining by the Chinese Navy of material for the operation and maintenance of them and for the furnishing of technical information and advice in connection with the organization and maintenance of a naval establishment by the Republic of China.
The text of the agreement and the texts of an exchange of notes signed at the time of the agreement are as follows:[”]