893.51/7145: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:30 p.m.]
539. Reference to my 528, October 20, 9 a.m. With reference to the economic situation and its influence on popular morale the slogan, [Page 679] “All aid short of war”, which has come so frequently from the United States has a discouraging effect upon a people who for 3 years have been fighting desperately against invasion in a struggle which they identify with our interests. This is especially true when such aid is offered only at a high cost which is draining the country of the money and resources which might otherwise back the currency and prevent soaring prices. We give nothing, neither life nor treasure, to help those who are fighting against those who, if they succeed, must inevitably unite to fall upon us backed by the accumulated might of their conquests. We cannot expect this praiseworthy activity to continue in China nor in England where the people are being drained of their economic life to reimburse us for the means which they need to maintain themselves against conquest. Either we are asleep or we show a callous and dangerous disregard for the effects of this kind of a smug attitude if we really believe that “aid short of war” is enough. We should quickly awaken from this diffidence lest we find a completely unsympathetic world looking on unable to give us even the flimsy aid that we have been willing to give when we ourselves are attacked.
Sent to the Department only.