Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VII

893.796/3–3048: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, March 30, 1948—1 p. m.
[Received March 30—12:41 p. m.]

559. Re Shanghai’s 553, March 9, 5 p. m. to Department.⁴⁶ Foreign Office advises that on March 10 it filed a protest with Soviet Chargé d’Affaires [at] Nanking for firing by two Soviet P–39 fighter planes on CAT–C–46.⁴⁷ Chinese protest alleged that CAT plane did not come closer to Port Arthur than 45 miles SW. Soviet reply March 13 said CAT plane had actually flown over Port Arthur and that Soviet fighters wished it to land for identification since origin of plane was unknown.

On March 19, Chinese Government filed second protest reiterating contents of first note and adding that plane was clearly marked according to second Chinese note.

Vice Minister Foreign Affairs⁴⁸ added that whereas normally Soviets have answered Chinese notes promptly, there has been growing tendency for increasing delay in replies.

Stuart

46. Not printed.
47. Civil Air Transport incident on March 8.
48. George K. C. Yeh.