Office of the Historian

811B.79693/2: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, June 13, 1941—4 p.m.
[Received 10:30 p.m.]

236. Minister of Communications told me yesterday that prior to departure from China the American air mission recommended that the air service of the China National Aviation Corporation should be extended to provide direct communication between China and the Philippine Islands. He said that he had instructed the Aviation Corporation to perfect plans with its American parent, Pan-American Airways, and that he desired to know from me how to conclude arrangements to extend the service to the Philippines.

I replied that General Clagett had not consulted or informed me regarding any such recommendation, that I recalled that China some years ago was not disposed to permit both the airways to operate and land in China, that landing privileges in American areas for non-American airlines are restricted and that I was not in a position offhand to make a suggestion but that I would look into the matter.

I learn from the Naval Attaché that after discussion with the Generalissimo regarding the necessity for increasing the efficiency of the Chinese air force by training of combat personnel, perhaps in the [Page 663] United States and/or in the Philippines, the members of the American mission along with the head of the Chinese Air Force drafted certain recommendations including one reading “the C.N.A.C. to operate a direct Manila–Chungking service”.

Looking to the possibilities of the future in the Far Eastern situation, it seems to me to be desirable that this matter should have early consideration but at the same time I respectfully suggest that if any arrangement should be made to permit the China National Aviation Corporation, a Chinese corporation partly owned by Pan-American Airways, to establish direct service between Manila and China we should not fail to include provision for immediate or future reciprocal landing privileges for American airlines in China.

I request instructions.

Sent to the Department. Repeated to Peiping.

Gauss