893.00/8–2548: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 25—7:14 a. m.]
1571. As further evidence of weak-kneed policy of Foreign Minister Wang Shih-chieh in respect of USSR is request of us today that we nominally place our Service Attaché’s aircraft under AAG23 and so inform FonOff even though operational control and expenditures in connection with such plane could be maintained as heretofore. In making this request of us Tung Lin, Chief American Section FonOff, speaking under instructions Foreign Minister, said Chinese Government was worried for fear that Soviets might, some day demand privileges assigning Soviet planes to Soviet Embassy, Nanking, and fly about China in detriment Chinese interests.
We explained reciprocal basis authority Service Attaché planes to operate in another country and pointed out that Soviets refused permission [Page 739] our Embassy or others maintain planes Moscow with resulting unlikelihood; Soviets would request authority Soviet Embassy planes fly China if confronted with demand reciprocity. Mentioned also effectiveness of declaring prohibited areas and strongly recommended that Chinese not raise issue. We were nevertheless requested to report to Department for instructions.
This is but another instance where Chinese recently have sought to curb our activities in China on basis of possible Soviet future request for similar privileges. Other recent examples are restriction of foreign travel, which we have protested, and refusal Chinese Government permit our service planes fly west of Lanchow. We mentioned this trend to Tung Lin who denied emphatically that there was anything behind Chinese Government desire except to protect itself against possible future Soviet infiltration.
Nevertheless, given Gimo’s deep-seated fear of Soviet aggression (Embtel 1570, August 2524) and given present Foreign Minister Wang Shih-chieh’s fear of incurring wrath of Gimo we cannot resist temptation to conclude that we are being subjected to a mild form of blackmail. Officials of Chinese Government from Gimo on down have missed no opportunity in recent months to assure us that when we had situation in Europe well in hand and had given evidence of an ability and willingness to give large and continuing support to China in resisting Soviet aggression in Far East, then and only then would it be possible for Chinese Government to consider: taking a firm stand in respect of USSR.
Accordingly we recommend that we be instructed to inform FonOff that it is impossible to participate in subterfuge it has suggested in respect of our Service aircraft.