893.6363/4–449: Telegram

The Consul General at Tientsin ( Smyth ) to the Secretary of State

201. ReContel 192, April 1,12 regarding oil situation. White, manager Texas Company, and Frost, of Shell Company, informed me today they have completed separate checks on Soviet gasoline obtained [Page 1004] from Soviets by Communists on barter basis which has arrived this area. They place amounts as follows: February, 12 railway tank cars of 30 tons each; March, 120 cars, total Soviet gas for 2 months nearly 4000 tons. Cars came by rail from Harbin and all destined for Lin Piao’s13 army.

Former China Petroleum Company installation at Hsinho, near Tangku, has been taken over by supply section of Northeast Field Army (Lin Piao).

White and Frost would appreciate above information being conveyed to Texas and Shell Company offices in Shanghai, also Texas Company in New York.

White and Frost state they have no indication of future policy of US and British Governments as to oil shipments to Communist areas in China. They say such information would be most helpful and would appreciate receiving some indication companies if this can be done.

Repeated Nanking 126, Shanghai 127, Peiping 80 and Hong Kong.

[
Smyth
]
  1. Not printed.
  2. Chinese Communist commander in north China.