893.2361/4–1248: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—6:55 a. m]
655. It may be of interest in the Department to know that we were called to Foreign Office this morning and told in strictest confidence that Soviets had handed Chinese Ambassador Moscow protest of alleged action by Chinese 4-motored heavy bombers in flying low over Soviet vessels on high seas off northeast coast Shantung. Planes said to have been marked BF–401, BF–432 and number 188 are alleged to have made several passes at vessel, some as low as 50 meters.
We were told that investigation revealed that no Chinese planes were at locations given and we were asked to inquire of our Navy whether any of ComNavWesPacs91 planes were in that neighborhood [Page 190] at the time cited, and if so whether they had noticed Soviet shipping. This we are endeavoring to do.
We were told that this is not first Soviet protest of such alleged Chinese activity and that in previous case Chinese have rejected protest on grounds that planes had right to fly where they had flown. Chinese Government plans in due course reply similarly to Soviet protest, but is interested in knowing whether vessels were actually where they were alleged to be and any other information, including possible nature of cargo.
Department please pass Moscow.
- Commander of U. S. Naval Forces in the Western Pacific.↩