893.5151/948: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
Chungking, July 22,
1943—8 p.m.
[Received July 23—noon.]
[Received July 23—noon.]
1260. TF–142 from Adler to Secretary of Treasury only.
- 1.
- Regarding your 911 of July 16. Transmitted your message to Dr. Kung on 21st; he indicated that he had already sent a formal request to you.
- 2.
- Regarding your 882, of July 9,39 part II, and my TF–141 of July 17.40
- a.
- Dr. T. F. Tsiang of Executive Yuan in informal conversation with me on 20th indicated that while a few high government officials regarded sale of gold in China as a panacea, in better informed government circles it was tentatively estimated that about 1 million oz. gold could be sold at roughly CN dollars 8,000 per oz. which would yield enough to cover approximately one fourth of probable deficit for 1943. Dr. Tsiang felt that in absence of definite knowledge as to scale on which gold will be absorbed at worth while prices sale of gold should be begun experimentally and that if experiment is unsuccessful it should be scrapped.
- b.
- Since Central Government annuled its prohibition of free trading in gold, Shanghai bullion dealers have been coming into Free China to set up business. They constitute majority of the 30 to 40 bullion dealers in Chungking.
- 3.
- It is suggested that Treasury mark messages of relative urgency “priority” as your messages take an average of not less than 4 days to reach me. Delay in your receipt of my TF–141 due to bad local transmitting conditions. [Adler.]
Atcheson