893.796/301: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
Washington, April 4,
1942—6 p.m.
259. Your 279, March 26, 11 a.m., in regard to proposed change in control of the planes of the China National Aviation Corporation and Eurasia Corporation.
- 1.
- Officials of the Department have discussed the subject matter of your telegram under reference with Currie6 and also with Cooper, Vice President of Pan American Airways, and Bond of the C. N. A. C. All concerned agree that unfortunate loss of efficiency would probably result from any attempt to change at this time the set-up under which the C. N. A. C. planes are being operated. The China National Aviation Corporation has an outstanding record of efficiency over a long period and its operations afford a shining example of successful international cooperation in the field of communications and transportation. The pilots of the C. N. A. C. have a notable record of loyalty and devotion to their present management, having performed at times almost impossible feats in maintaining communications under very difficult conditions. Any measure designed to change the set-up under which those pilots have been working might have highly adverse effect upon their morale.
- 2.
- The matter has also been discussed with officers of the War and Navy Departments who concur in the views expressed herein.
- 3.
- The Department suggests that you discuss the matter with the Military and Naval Attachés and with General Stilwell7 (or, in his absence, with a responsible member of his staff) and that, unless objection is perceived, you seek an early occasion to convey in such manner as you deem appropriate the substance of the above to appropriate, responsible Chinese authorities, expressing tactfully but clearly the earnest hope of this Government that nothing will be done to change at this time the administrative conditions under which the planes of the C. N. A. C. are so effectively discharging their task of maintaining communications vital to the joint war effort of the United Nations. In so doing please emphasize that in making these comments and in expressing this hope this Government is not motivated by any question of legal technicalities or rights but solely by a desire, which we are confident the Chinese Government shares, that an essential enterprise be operated with maximum effectiveness to the advantage of all concerned.
- 4.
- For your background information, T. V. Soong8 addressed a letter to Currie on October 7, 1941, in which Soong stated that the DC–3 transport planes to be procured through Lease-Lend would be operated for the Chinese Government by the personnel of the China National Aviation Corporation. While because of technical considerations the word “personnel” was used in Soong’s letter, the definite understanding was that the C. N. A. C. should operate the planes mentioned.
- 5.
- For your further information. Bond feels that American pilots would be loath to continue their employment under the proposed change. He states that C. N. A. C. at the present time has but one Chinese pilot qualified to operate DC–3’s.
- 6.
- Please keep the Department informed of developments.
Welles