CO129-591-14 Military Administration- liaison with Chinese and American forces 11-4-1945 - 25-7-1945 — Page 87

With the Compliments

of the

Under Searetary of State Jor Foreign Affairs

Colonial

office

mr gent.

ク

copy

to

W.

88

Copy.

BIT

(F 2711/917/10).

12 MAY 1

BRITISH EMBASSY, CHUNGKING.

-

No.424 819/21

17th April, 1945.

Copied to:-

M. E. Dening Esq., O. B. E.,

No. 62.

TOP SECRET

Sir,

adly

Omi OMI ACASI

Tsy Det

I have reported in my secret despatch No.411 of April 12th about the suggestion, which has been made by Brigadier-General Olmsted of United States Army Headquarters, that an economic liaison officer should be appointed to Chungking in order to advise the military planners of the facilities which may be available to the military authorities on British property in areas of China liberated from the Japanese. This suggestion has started a train of thought in our minds and the following extract from a Minute by the G. O. C., the British Military Mission, discussing General Olmsted's scheme will serve to pose the question:-

"I assume that there is already in existence a com- plote survey of British economic resources in China and that we arc in a position to provide the Americans with such information at short notice should they ask for it and should it be dooided as a mattor of policy to release it to them.

"But as the war progresses and, we hope, moves to the East, I do not see what the Embassy staff will be able to do to safeguard British economic interests in the forward areas. Chinese and American operational Headquarters will certainly be well in advance of the Chinese Government. Even though American Theatre Headquarters romains with the latter, key personnel, including civil affairs officers, will certainly move forward with

operational Headquarters. When that occurs it seems highly desirable that we should have personnel ready to move forward too, and they will of necessity have to be in uniform.

"This point raises another question which, I suggest, requires consideration as a matter of urgency, viz our plans for the disposition of British civil and military organis.tions as to the war in China progresses. When the Chinese go over to the offensive whether in conjunction with an allied landing on the China coast or otherwise, Chinese G. H. Q. and American operational H. Q. will certainly move forward as the offensive progresses. On the other hand the Chinese Government, American Theatre H. Q. the Embassy and General Carton de Wiart's H. Q. will

,

presumably/