811.20 Defense (M)/7867: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

864. Embassy’s 817, July 9, noon. National Resources Commission representative states that the Russians desire the mercury at Kunming and will take delivery there. The Russian trade representative states he has been urged to expedite shipment of mercury; that of contracted [Page 661] 200 tons for this year Chinese have delivered only about 40; and that unless we are in urgent need of the mercury he wishes to take stocks at Kunming. He and NRC have been told that insofar as Embassy is aware we have no claim on stocks.

Gauss