793.94/16277: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 31—7:48 a.m.]
551. Pursuant to your instructions I called on Generalissimo Chiang yesterday afternoon at his private residence and orally communicated to him the substance of your 181, October 24, 5 p.m. He listened attentively and although he made no particular comment in respect of the various points conveyed in your message I gathered the impression that he was pleased with it. After a discussion of another subject introduced by General Chiang which I shall report in a separate telegram and one significant observation from him to the effect that today the United States is the one country which can be called “a pillar of peace,” he concluded the interview by asking me to communicate to you and the President the following:
“I wish to express to you my deep thanks for your kind assistance. Will you please convey our deep gratitude to the President of the United States and the Secretary of State. We are grateful beyond words for the sympathetic consideration which they have given our problems; we are especially grateful that the President has taken time to consider this matter at a time when he is so busy just before the election. In my nightly prayers I always think of Mr. Roosevelt and I earnestly hope mat he will soon be able to restore peace to a chaotic and disordered world.”
Sent to the Department only.