893.24/3–1748

The Chinese Minister (Tan) to the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Ringwalt)

Dear Mr. Ringwalt: Confirming my conversation with you over the phone on the 15th instant that my Government is in need of the 250 pounds, 300 pounds and 500 pounds bombs located at Saipan and Tinian, I am directed by the Ambassador to request that they be declared surplus and made available to us. Kindly communicate this information to the appropriate authorities. I am also instructed to express that it will be greatly appreciated if the list for the surplus ammunition located in Okinawa would be sent to us as soon as possible.

Regarding the items of equipment for the 8 ⅓ Group Program for the Chinese Air Force under the Supplementary Agreement No. W–ANL(MP–1)–353 China 2 (1P), I should like to take this opportunity to inform you that General Mow’s office received on the 16th instant a cable from his representative, Major Hu, to the effect that no documents had been received as yet by the United States Depot officials in Hawaii and that it was impossible to make the first shipment on the boat scheduled to sail on the 22nd instant as expected. Major Hu has also indicated in another communication that a number [Page 33] of heavy boxes containing many of such items of equipment have been left in the open air and that according to his observation the contents must have been seriously affected by weather conditions. I understand General Mow’s office has communicated with Colonel Allen F. Kingman about this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Shao-Hwa Tan