893.6359/11–2047: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the
Secretary of State
Nanking, November 20,
1947—1 p.m.
[Received November 20—5:42 a.m.]
2265. To Gullion from Keiser for Wells AEC for transmittal to Wilson.
Reference Embassy’s telegram 2230, November 12, 4 p.m.:19 Dr. Wong November 19 personally
approved draft agreement on which he requests commission’s views prior
submitting draft to Generalissimo for latter’s approval. Following is full
text draft agreement:
- “1. The Chinese Government, through the chairman of the
National Resources Commission as its designated representative,
has discussed
[Page 1026]
with a
representative of the United States Atomic Energy Commission of
the United States Government joint effort in the exploration of
China for uranium, thorium, and other minerals of importance in
the atomic energy programs of the two Governments.
- “2. On the basis of the aforesaid discussions, the Chinese
Government with the desire further to foster Sino-American
cooperation for mutual benefit, hereby proposes that joint
exploration of China for the said minerals be undertaken
promptly.
- “3. In the development of arrangements for said exploration,
the Chinese Government will establish a special survey party.
The party will work under the direction of the National
Resources Commission in cooperation with other appropriate
Chinese Government organizations, such as the National
Geological Survey. The director of the party will be appointed
by the National Resources Commission. One or two Chinese experts
who will take part in the work of the party will be sent by the
Chinese Government to the United States to confer with officials
of the United States Atomic Energy Commission for the purpose of
planning the joint exploration in China.
- “4. To effect the said joint exploration, the United States
Government will designate a small number of American geologists
or other experts under the guidance of a leader to collaborate
with the special survey party; he will be considered member of
the party. It is understood that there will be approximately an
equal number of Chinese and American members in the party.
Complete arrangements for the exploration will be developed by
the director of the party in consultation with the leader of the
American members.
- “5. The Chinese Government agrees to assume the complete
expenses of the Chinese members of the party, including
salaries, transportation, housing and subsistence. All other
expenses of the field exploration, it is understood, will be
assumed by the United States Government.
- “6. The United States Government agrees to furnish to the
Chinese Government complete reports of the field explorations
made, including analyses of samples and estimates of reserves.
It will also furnish on a loan basis for the period of the joint
exploration portable field counters for the use of the Chinese
members of the party. Instruction manuals and literature
pertaining to the construction and application of said field
counters will be provided by the United States Government and
also detailed information as to methods, materials and equipment
required for accurate chemical, mineralogical, and radiometric
determinations of the uranium, thorium and other valuable metal
content of the samples collected during the field exploration.
The American leader will demonstrate to the Chinese members the
application of the field counters. The United States Government
also agrees to assist the Chinese Government in arranging for
the export to China of any materials and equipment that the
Chinese Government may desire to purchase or obtain by other
means in the United States for establishment of laboratory
facilities in China to implement the exploration
proposed.
- “7. The Chinese Government agrees to furnish to the United
States Government complete information relative to the known
occurrences of uranium and thorium in China and also complete
reports of the field explorations made including analyses of
samples and estimates
[Page 1027]
of reserves. The Chinese Government will permit the export to
the United States of adequate samples for laboratory analyses
and also of other adequate samples for metallurgical tests if in
the opinion of the director of the party in consultation with
the American leader such tests are advisable.
- “8. It is agreed that the cooperative work outlined above will
have a term of 2 years counted from the day of arrival of
American members of the party in China, after which further
cooperation, if deemed desirable, will be thoroughly
considered.
- “9. The Chinese Government expresses the wish to have American
assistance in the establishment of an adequately equipped
research laboratory on atomic energy in China for the benefit of
scientific research and peaceful utilization of such energy. In
this connection the United States Government agrees to accept a
few Chinese physicists on a non-expense basis to participate in
atomic research in the United States laboratories to be
designated by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The
Chinese physicists will be selected by the National Resources
Commission in consultation with the Academia Sinica. It is
expected that in due course the United States Government will
give consideration to assisting the Chinese Government in the
establishment of a research laboratory on atomic energy in
China.
- “10. The Chinese Government further agrees that during the
term of the field exploration referred to above it will have no
intention of entering into technical cooperation with any other
foreign country for the purpose of exploring in China for
uranium, thorium and other minerals of importance in the atomic
energy programs of the two Governments.” End draft.
Above draft represents best terms obtainable from Wong. Believe fulfillment
of provisions possible with minimum disclosure classified information. Phase
2 of mission would now appear accomplished and plans will be made to depart
Nanking about week hence unless instructions received to contrary. End
Keiser message.
Embassy comment. Expeditious action by AEC on foregoing draft urgently
recommended. Wong since return from Taiwan has given negotiations highest
priority and is anxious have AEC comments so he can present draft to
Generalissimo soonest. With AEC approval of draft, Wong expressed opinion
Generalissimo would also approve. Under circumstances and providing AEC
takes expeditious action, Embassy believes highly desirable Keiser remain
Nanking until draft approved by AEC and Generalissimo.
It occurs to Embassy that Department and AEC will wish to give consideration
to whether formal agreement on this question will have to be registered with
UN. In such case would Department and AEC consider carrying on work on basis
verbal understanding inasmuch as Chinese appear willing to cooperate fully?
Department’s instructions requested immediately.
