893.50A/53
The Chinese Ambassador in the Soviet Union
(Ten), Temporarily in London,
to the Secretary of State7
Dr. Soong, now in Rome, has asked me to convey to Your Excellency in his
name the following communication:—
“In the course of conversations which I have been privileged to
have with the President and Your Excellency I explained the
desire of the Chinese Government to make immediate progress with
plans of economic reconstruction in China and their desire that
this reconstruction should be based upon collaboration between
China and other countries which have been associated with
Chinese economic development in the past.
“I have come to the conclusion that the first step to take with a
view to this end is to constitute a Consultative Committee
including both Chinese and foreign members to advise the Chinese
Government as to the best methods and programme to adopt. The
nature and purpose of this Committee are described in the
enclosed draft letter of invitation.
[Page 496]
“I intend to invite certain of the prominent citizens of your
country to act as members of the Committee, as well as of
France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy.
“I trust that your Government will be sympathetic towards the
effort that the Chinese Government is making towards its
reconstruction and will do what it can to facilitate this
effort.
“I have been discussing generally the above matter with Mr. T. W.
Lamont,8 who as you know has been interested in
Chinese affairs for a long time.
“I intend to come to London in the near future to talk over the
matter more fully with you.”
[Enclosure]
Draft Letter of Invitation by the Chinese
Minister of Finance (Soong)
The Chinese Government has for some time been considering the most
effective means for securing the co-operation of both Chinese and
foreign interests for the practical realization of a programme of
economic development in China along the lines envisaged by the late
Dr. Sun Yat Sen.
The Government considers that the present moment is favorable for
initiating a programme, and believes that it should be based upon
the development of economic enterprises (including particularly the
improvement of the means of communication), starting immediately
where existing conditions make development most promising and
systematically extending.
The Government also desires to review the situation of China’s
existing obligations with a view to re-establishing her credit on a
basis commensurate with her position and resources.
The Government is convinced that the undertaking of economic
reconstruction of this character within practicable and extending
limits would be of advantage both to China and to foreign countries,
by increasing the general standard of living of China, and at the
same time as a consequence increasing her purchasing power and
facilitating a better arrangement with regard to her existing
obligations than would otherwise be practicable.
For the above purposes the Government desires to have the benefit of
the advice and counsel of persons both Chinese and foreign of the
necessary standing and experience; and is inviting those whose names
are given in the enclosed list9 to form a
committee for such consultative
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purposes. This Committee will I hope in due
course study various concrete proposals, looking towards the
inception of prudent and progressive economic development in various
directions.
I am writing to invite you to join this Committee, and sincerely hope
that you will be in a position to give the Chinese Government your
good counsel in this way.
Monsieur Jean Monnet10 has accepted my invitation to act as Chairman of
this Committee and will shortly come to China. Every facility will
be afforded to him so as to render the work of the Committee
expeditious and fruitful.
