893.50 Recovery/12–2448
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)
Dr. Tan telephoned me today to state that the Chinese Embassy had learned that the USS Washburn, transporting 3,260 tons of military material purchased by the Chinese from the Department of the Army under the $37.8 million program, arrived at Okinawa two days ago. He stated that it was the Chinese Government’s intention that all such shipments would now be delivered at Keelung, the port in north Taiwan. Dr. Tan further stated that upon inquiry of the Department of the Army concerning this matter the Chinese Embassy had been informed that “whether the ship would proceed from Okinawa to Taiwan depends upon the State Department”. In answer to my inquiry, Dr. Tan said that he was not certain of the name of the officer in the Department of the Army who had made this statement.
I informed Dr. Tan that I would look into the matter and communicate with him later.
(Colonel Conner, Plans and Operations, Department of the Army, telephoned me this morning and stated that the Chinese Procurement Group in Washington had approached the Department of the Army on this matter and asked what reply might be given to the Chinese. I suggested that in view of the fact that the diversion of the USS Washburn had been a decision by the NSC with the President’s approval he simply tell the Chinese that it was presumed that the USS Washburn was en route but that he would look into the matter. Colonel Conner said he was directing this inquiry to the Department of State on instruction from General Wedemeyer.)