690B.9321/3–853: Telegram
No. 63
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the Republic of
China
niact
778. Eyes only Ambassador.1 Department has heard … that strong efforts are being made in Formosa to obtain planes for transport from Formosa to Li Mi forces in Burma including efforts to use CAT planes which, being unsuccessful, may be commandeered.
Assume … in close touch with you regarding this matter and that you will promptly take all necessary steps to prevent commandeering CAT planes or flights by any other planes to Li Mi forces. Unless you are convinced there is no substantial basis … , you should immediately bring matter to attention of Foreign Minister, referring to his unconditional assurances (urtel 936 March 8)2 that no clearance will be given to any further flights from Formosa to KMT forces Burma. You may state that if such flights take place, we could only conclude that Chinese Government has no intention of cooperating with US Government in this matter and that such [Page 93] flights could not but have most serious consequences for the maintenance of that mutual confidence so important between the two Governments. If Foreign Minister asserts Li Mi’s forces under Chinese Communist attack, you should state that US Government has no information whatever to confirm this and very much doubts that such is a fact.
Report promptly to Department all developments regarding this matter.
- Rankin was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of China on Feb. 27; he presented his credentials on Apr. 2.↩
- See footnote 1, Document 44.↩