893.248/223
The Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
As requested by you, I asked Dr. Arthur Young to call with a view to obtaining such information as he might be in position to furnish on the subject whether the Chinese Aviation Mission in this country and Mr. T. V. Soong had taken any concrete steps toward obtaining the services of American citizens in reference to Chinese aviation matters.
Dr. Young came in on December 20. He told me, in reply to my inquiries, that he knew that Colonel Chennault37 had very much in mind the question of obtaining the services of qualified Americans; [Page 713] that Colonel Chennault did not wish to take any action which would be embarrassing to this Government; and that, so far as he (Dr. Young) was aware, neither Colonel Chennault nor the Chinese had taken any definite steps in the matter. I referred to my understanding that a number of months ago officers of the War Department had informally made available to the Chinese Embassy here a list of Americans qualified in aviation matters.
My discussion with Dr. Young related solely to Americans who might go to China as instructors or mechanics. I told Dr. Young that I was making no suggestions, was not pressing the matter, but would appreciate any further information which he might obtain as to how Colonel Chennault’s and the Chinese Aviation Mission’s thoughts might be turning on the subject. I indicated that, if Dr. Young should obtain further information, I would appreciate it if he would drop in at the office and communicate it orally to us. Dr. Young said that he would be glad to keep this in mind.
During the conversation Dr. Young said that he thought that the question of priorities would be very important. He said that, of course, in view of the armament program in this country there was an unusual and heavy demand for the services of persons expert in matters relating to aviation.
- Claire L. Chennault, American aviator.↩