793.94/15483
President Roosevelt to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek 6
My Dear General Chiang: I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 20, 1939, which was delivered to me on November 3 by your [Page 715] distinguished countryman, Dr. W. W. Yen, who was at one time Chinese Minister to the United States.
I greatly appreciate receiving through your letter and through Dr. Yen an expression of your views in regard to various aspects of the situations in the Far East and in Europe. As the situations have changed in important respects since your letter was written, especially by reason of the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, and as Ambassador Johnson called upon you on September 5 and, under instruction, discussed various questions bearing upon those which you mention, I shall not attempt to comment in detail on the views expressed in your letter.
I assure you that, as stated to you by Ambassador Johnson, the fundamental and traditional foreign policy of the United States is unchanged. Our attitude and position in regard to the situation and problems in the Far East have on numerous occasions been made known to various of the other governments concerned.
I have had several pleasant conversations with the present Chinese Ambassador, Dr. Hu Shih. Officials of the Department of State are at all times accessible to him, and the agreeable relations which he maintains in Washington provide continuous opportunity for helpful exchanges of views in regard to all aspects of the situation in the Far East, which situation continues to receive the closest attention of a number of officials of this Government including myself.
I have greatly enjoyed meeting and talking with Dr. Yen.
Very sincerely yours,
- Original transmitted by the Department to the Embassy in China for delivery.↩