711.00111 Armament Control/1–2649: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:18 p. m.]
260. Nanking’s 103, January 2620 requesting I consult with General Barr and reply direct to Department your query reference advisability of issuing export license for certain arms and ammunition now being assembled on the west coast for shipment to Formosa.
Barr’s comments and recommendations follow:
“Please read my cable, CYF 771, dated 26 January personal to Maddocks, Department of Army,21 for estimate of situation. Our Government not only has to consider the possibility of war munitions eventually falling into the hands of Chinese Communists, but also must consider the possibility of their disposition by unscrupulous personnel of National Government in the event of its complete political and military collapse. In my opinion, under this condition, there is a strong likelihood that any munitions not immediately susceptible to Communist control would be loaded into Chinese vessels now in Formosan harbors and moved out with view disposition by sale in countries engaged internal dissent and located adjacent to or south of China. There would be little or no consideration given to allegiance or intents of the purchaser.
“In view of the foregoing, I recommend that export license be withheld pending clarification of military and political situation. I further recommend that pending clarification of the situation in China, no military aid supplies be shipped. [”]
Sent Department 260, repeated Nanking 199.