793.94 Conference/264: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—6:40 p.m.]
42. Wellington Koo informed Hornbeck yesterday that there are considerable amounts of military supplies for China in addition to the two German shiploads which the French authorities are not allowing to pass; also that considerable amounts are at Hong Kong but are not passing into China and northward because of breaks in the railway.
Koo called on me today and went over the French position and related matters. He strongly urged that the Conference should not close without taking or arranging for action toward assisting China to obtain supplies needed for maintaining military resistance. He suggested the formation of a committee the function of which should be to devise policies and methods for assisting China. It was explained to him that we could not participate in action with such a declared purpose, that our policy in law and in fact is a policy of neutrality and that our intention and endeavor are to work for peace. [Page 205] Koo urged that China needs arms and munitions; also funds; and he stated that the British have talked of possibly being able to give credits but not being able to sell arms (because of their own need in their rearmament program) and he wondered whether purchase of arms in the United States might not be facilitated. Reply was made that our market is open so far as purchase of arms is concerned. Koo repeatedly urged that the Conference should not end or take recess without first having taken some action which would give immediate encouragement to the Chinese fighting forces and ultimate practical assistance toward their continuance of military operations of resistance, I explained to him various limitations within which the American Government must function.