Office of the Historian

840.50 Recovery/6–248: Telegram

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

Nanking, June 2, 1948—1 p.m.
[Received June 2—6:58 a.m.]

987. For Department and ECA. Embassy approves draft bilateral agreement on rural reconstruction (reDeptels 810 and 811, both May 28, 7 p.m.) with recommendation paragraph (2) of article III be revised as follows:

“All supplies imported into China for use in the program shall be free of fiscal charges, including customs duties, conservancy dues and other charges normally imposed by the Government of China on similar supplies which are imported through regular commercial channels. Additionally, the Government of China will afford expeditious clearance by the Chinese customs of supplies imported for use in the program and of the official and personal effects of the American members and personnel of the commission.”

In this connection reference made Embtel 985, June 2, 11 a.m.,86 repeated Shanghai as 436. If Department approves revision, please [Page 607] instruct soonest as we plan present draft of agreement to Foreign Office June 3.

Separate comments, if any, by Dawson87 and Gilpatric,88 both not available in Shanghai or Nanking for consultation, will be transmitted separately.

Sent Department 987, repeated Shanghai 438.

Stuart
  1. Not printed; it recommended a top level adviser under the China Aid Program to assist the Chinese in simplifying customs procedures.↩
  2. Owen L. Dawson, Agricultural Attaché in China.↩
  3. Donald S. Gilpatric, Attaché at the Shanghai Consulate General and Director of the China Relief Mission.↩