Office of the Historian

893.5151/918: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, April 20, 1943—3 p.m.
[Received April 20—11:24 a.m.]

568. Reference Department’s 487, April 15, 9 p.m.

1.
Department’s understanding is correct. Phraseology is Kung’s used by him to avoid actual statement of a rate.
2.
Matter has not been settled. Kung’s communication to Stabilization Board mentions only diplomatic and consular establishments.
3.
The Acting Foreign Minister’s response to my intimation concerning reciprocal Lend-Lease was simply and I believe truthfully that he had not given the matter any thought and had [not?] heard anything about it. Recalling that Soong and Gauss had a casual discussion on the subject, I asked whether Soong had not mentioned it to him. He replied convincingly in the negative. I saw no purpose in pursuing a discussion of a matter concerning which he was not informed or particularly interested.
Vincent