893.34/5–2647
The Secretary of the Navy (Forrestal) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Republic of China has requested the United States to transfer certain specified naval vessels, craft, and floating drydocks, and to furnish certain technical advice and assistance in connection with the organization and maintenance of a Naval establishment.
Executive Order 9843, signed on April 25, 1947,57 delegates the authority granted the President in Public Law 512, 79th Congress, to the Secretary of the Navy subject to concurrence by the Secretary of State. It provides that subject to the conditions and limitations contained in Public Law 512 the Secretary of the Navy is authorized:
- a.
- To transfer certain vessels, craft, and floating drydocks to the Republic of China without compensation.
- b.
- To repair, outfit and equip the said vessels, craft and floating drydocks which are to be so transferred and to transfer material deemed by the Secretary of the Navy to be necessary for their operation and maintenance, all on the basis of cash reimbursement by the Republic of China.
- c.
- To furnish to the Republic of China such plans, blueprints, documents and other information in connection with such vessels, craft and floating drydocks, and certain technical information and advice in connection with the organization and maintenance of a Naval establishment by the Republic of China as the Secretary of the Navy may deem proper.
- d.
- To train personnel for the operation of such vessels, craft, and floating drydocks, and for such other Naval purposes as the Secretary of the Navy may deem proper.
- e.
- To detail not more than 100 officers and 200 enlisted men of the United States Navy or Marine Corps to assist the Republic of China in Naval matters under such conditions and subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Navy may prescribe.
The Order further states that if at any time the Secretary of State shall determine that the transfer of further vessels and craft or material would not be in the public interest, such transfers shall be discontinued.
The Navy Department has considered the request of the Chinese Government and plans to furnish the following Naval assistance:
a. Transfer to the Republic of China without compensation 137 vessels, craft and floating drydocks (listed below by type and number).
| Type | Number |
| DE—Destroyer Escort | 6 |
| PCE—Patrol Vessel Escort (180′) | 2 |
| AM—Mine Sweeper | 12 |
| LST—Landing Ship Tank | 10 |
| LSM—Landing Ship Medium | 8 |
| LCI(L)—Landing Craft Infantry (Large) | 8 |
| AG—Miscellaneous Auxiliary | 1 |
| LCM—Landing Craft, Mechanized | 25 |
| LCVP—Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel | 25 |
| LCT—Landing Craft Tank | 8 |
| YMS—Motor Mine Sweeper | 4 |
| PC—Submarine Chaser (173′) | 6 |
| PGM—Motor Gunboat | 6 |
| SC—Submarine Chaser (110′) | 10 |
| AGS—Surveying Ship | 1 |
| AOG—Gasoline Tanker | 2 |
| AFDL—Auxiliary Floating Drydock Light | 2 |
| ARL—Repair Ship Landing Craft | 1 |
| Total | 137 |
b. Furnish to the Republic of China such plans, blueprints, documents and other information in connection with the vessels listed above and other technical information as is necessary and proper in connection with the organization and maintenance of a Naval establishment.
c. Train personnel for the operation of these vessels and such other Naval purposes as the Secretary of the Navy may deem proper.
d. Establish a U. S. Naval Advisory Group to assist the Republic of China in Naval matters under such conditions and subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Navy may prescribe.
e. The cost of any repairs, outfit and equipment to the said vessels and the transfer of any material will be on the basis of cash reimbursement by the Republic of China.
Ninety-three of the above-listed vessels are now under lend lease to the Chinese Government. These vessels will be recaptured under the terms of the Naval Lease Agreement Charter and retransferred under Public Law 512.
[Page 968]Your concurrence is requested in the plan for providing the Naval assistance outlined above.
Sincerely yours,
- Department of State Bulletin, May 4, 1947, p. 821, or 12 Federal Register 2763.↩