Office of the Historian

793.94119/750: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, May 31, 1941—1 p.m.
[Received May 319:33 a.m.]

218. Rumors of possible American mediation of Sino-Japanese conflict with suggestion that United States might endeavor to separate [Page 242] Japan from Axis at China’s expense have circulated here during the past week or more. Failure of President in fireside chat12 to refer directly to Japan has increased speculation in this regard and local press has commented at some length thereon. (My 215, May 30, 5 p.m.)13 Chinese officials have not approached me regarding these rumors and I do not believe that they are giving the Generalissimo and his chief advisers any appreciable concern.

Gauss
  1. Radio address of May 27; Department of State Bulletin, May 31, 1941, p. 647.↩
  2. Not printed.↩