893.796/5–2345: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:25 p.m.]
832. Appropriate officer at U. S. Army Headquarters here states that sending of two pilots to China to assist CATC was disapproved because of tightness of transportation and lack of adequate number of planes of CATC. (ReDeptel 578, April 13, 4 p.m.) He states this action was taken without knowledge of CNAC officials and that when transport situation is easier and when CATC has more planes headquarters [Page 115] is prepared to reconsider matter. (According to Communications Ministry, CATC during 1944 operated only two old planes on irregular schedules.)
Regarding second paragraph of Depts telegram, officer stated that there was no question of favoring CNAC and American company interested in that concern. He said that he recognized importance from long-range standpoint of having another American company assist Chinese in development of civil aviation here.