811.20 Defense (M)/6560: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
406. Your 546, May 11, 3 p.m.18 from Metals Reserve Company.
“Metals Reserve expects this week to exchange letters with National Resources Commission under which it will accept delivery of tungsten ores at Yunnanyi or other points in China, as may be designated. Weights as determined at these delivery points in China would be final; samples would have to be taken for determination of moisture content and for forwarding to United States for analysis.
[Page 654]To supervise this work and to pass on adequacy of storage arrangements it is planned by Metals Reserve to engage Lavrov, on whom favorable reports have been received from Kursell.19 Embassy is asked to make arrangements with him on a basis of compensation not exceeding $25 per diem, plus travelling expenses, for time actually engaged in work for Metals Reserve. A later cable will advise as to how this compensation shall be paid to him.
Since Lavrov plans to proceed to United States shortly, Metals Reserve inquires whether he would be prepared to delay trip sufficiently to complete arrangements with National Resources Commission regarding procedures for weighing, sampling, storage, etc., and also to arrange for representation for Metals Reserve in his absence. Since it would be difficult to arrange for transportation to China of a qualified substitute to act in Lavrov’s absence, it would be preferable to have him select such a substitute in China. It is understood here that McKay will not be available in China until after June 15 at earliest as War Shipping Administration requires him in India.”