Office of the Historian

893.6363/8–549: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

London, August 5, 1949—6 p. m.
[Received August 6—12:47 a. m.]

3088. 1. Shell official today advised Embassy office that four tankers under charter United Tanker Corp., an affiliate of Chinese Petroleum Corp. (Nationalist), are en route from Constanza, Rumania, to Dairen.

2. Following data given on tankers:

a.
Katemarsk passed Aden July 23 loaded 8,000 tons kerosene.
b.
Kettleman Hills passed Suez July 25 loaded 13,000 tons gasoline.
c.
Beauregard passed Aden July 28 loaded 7,751 tons gasoline and 4,800 tons kerosene.
d.
St. Christopher passed Istanbul July 25 loaded either gasoline or kerosene or both. Quantities unavailable.

No information available as to consignors or consignees.

3. Shell official believes transaction may be direct trade between Soviet Govt and Chinese Communists in exchange for shipments of soybeans.

Douglas