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

893.00/4–248: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)

Washington, April 2, 1948—5 p.m.

479. Emb has doubtless seen ComNavWesPac’s Top Secret 290855Z 29 Mar 1948 commenting on CinCfe’s 261001Z⁸² regarding direct supply of munitions to Nationalist forces.

Dept strongly endorses ComNavWesPac’s advice to Emb as outlined in reftel and it likewise remains unconvinced that transport and delivery of available ammunition is beyond Chinese capabilities and recognizes that use of US aircraft in such activity would be tantamount to direct involvement in hostilities. For Emb’s information no consideration is being given or even contemplated by Dept to reversal of present policy of avoiding direct participation in Chinese civil war.

Lovett

82. Neither found in Department files.