893.24/12–2347
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Army (Royall)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to a memorandum, dated November 4, 1947, from the Chinese Embassy at Washington, a [Page 939] copy of which was transmitted informally to the Department of the Army on November 13, 1947, enclosing a list of equipment said to be urgently required by the Chinese Air Force.
There is now transmitted herewith a copy of a memorandum, dated December 23, 1947, from the Chinese Embassy, enclosing a list of equipment and supplies said to be urgently required by the Chinese ground forces.
In order that I may be able to take appropriate action in regard to the above memoranda, I should appreciate it if you would inform me to what extent these Chinese requirements can be met from material surplus to the needs of the United States armed forces and where any such surplus material is located. It would also be very helpful if you could tell me to what extent the Chinese Army could be supplied other types of war material surplus to the needs of the United States armed forces which would be in keeping with and supplement the war material already supplied the Chinese Government under the 39 Division Program and in which areas such material is now located.
Sincerely yours,