Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

740.0011 Pacific War/1086

Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)

[Washington,] December 10, 1941.

Reference, Mr. Welles’ memorandum of conversation with Dr. T. V. Soong December 9.

Mr. Welles called me in last evening and, in my presence, telephoned to Dr. Soong.

My understanding of what Mr. Welles said to Dr. Soong was that he, Mr. Welles, had spoken with the President; that the President did not take at face value the views expressed by the Russian Military Attaché in Chungking to Chiang Kai-shek, as recorded; and that the President felt that the Chinese Government should go ahead with a declaration of war (upon the Axis powers).

S[tanley] K. H[ornbeck]