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

893.248/12–148: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, December 1, 1948—4 p.m.
[Received December 1—6:29 a.m.]

2591. General Thomas⁶⁷ has asked ECA⁶⁸ whether it would be prepared to assist in evacuation of certain Chinese Air Force material and equipment to safer places. ECA has referred policy question to me and I have made it clear that Department’s views must be obtained. It is not clear to ECA exactly what is involved nor does ECA now know to what extent it could in a practical sense help.

Since this would seem rather direct intervention in Chinese civil war and since we doubt ECA has legislative authority to undertake this operation we question whether ECA should do so. I should nevertheless appreciate Department’s urgent instructions since policy decisions now reportedly being reached in Washington may affect decision in this matter.

Sent Department 2591; repeated Nanking 1958.

Cabot

67. Brig. Gen. Charles E. Thomas, Chief of the Air Force Division, Joint U. S. Military Advisory Group in China (JUSMAG).
68. Economic Cooperation Administration.