893.24/11–349
The Chinese Ambassador (Koo) to the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honor to request his assistance in the procurement from the United States Government stocks of the following items of ammunition, which are needed urgently by the Chinese Government for defense in amphibian operations:
| 1. Bombs, Incendiary, 100 lb., AN–M47A2, loaded with Gelled Gasoline NP (complete round with Burster, Igniter, Fuze and Arming Wire) | 5,000 |
| 2. Float Flare, MK17 Mod. 0, or Mod. 1 (complete round). (Note: II Float Flares are not available, AN–M26 Aircraft Parachute Flares (complete round with Fuze and Arming Wire) | 5,000 |
| 3. Igniters for Fire Bombs, M13 (or M15) Sodium Filled (Na), complete with Arming Wire and External Attachment Clamp | 6,500 |
| 4. Igniters for Fire Bombs, M14 (or M16) Sodium Filled (Na), complete with Arming Wire | 3,000 |
| 5. Rocket Nose Fuze, MK137 for 4.5″ H.E. Rockets | 4,000 |
| 6. Rocket Nose Fuze, MK149 for 5″ HVAR | 5,200 |
Since such items of ammunition are not currently available in the market, special orders for their manufacture will require considerable time before they can be filled. It is understood that the United States Government has in its stocks a supply of such items, which, with the approval of the appropriate authorities, may be made available to the Chinese Government on a sales basis. The Chinese Government will appreciate it greatly if the United States Government would comply with this request. Should it not be feasible to release such items of [Page 578] ammunition on a cash sale basis, the Chinese Government would like to request that they be made available on a loan basis to be returned in kind pursuant to the procedure established for the loaning of a quantity of M.50 cartridges in 1947, which was replaced with products ordered from the Olin Industries, Incorporated.
In the event of the request granted either on a sales or loan basis, it is hoped that an arrangement can be made for the speedy delivery of such items of ammunition, preferably from the stocks of the Headquarters of General MacArthur in Tokyo.
The Ambassador will feel obliged if the Secretary would, together with the other authorities concerned, give the request his favorable consideration.