893.51/6991
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 2.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that I and a member of my staff had several conversations, on his initiative, with Dr. Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador to Paris, shortly prior to the outbreak of hostilities. These conversations were largely concerned with Chinese financial difficulties and possible American assistance, and culminated in Dr. Koo’s handing to me a memorandum dated August 29. A copy of this memorandum is enclosed.98 Dr. Koo informed me that it was based on a cablegram received by him on August 28 from General Chiang Kai-shek, who had discussed the questions treated therein with Dr. Kung.
It will be observed therefrom that the memorandum envisages (1) the purchase of and immediate payment for 200 million ounces of silver for later delivery at a price of $70,000,000; (2) a new $50,000,000 [Page 711] credit of the Import-Export Bank for the purchase of gold in the United States; and (3) a purchase of 50,000 tons of tin from China valued at $50,000,000. I, of course, gave Dr. Koo no assurance whatsoever that the wishes of the Chinese Government in this connection could be satisfied.
There is also enclosed as of possible interest an earlier memorandum handed to me by Dr. Koo on August 17.99
Respectfully yours,