893.20/734
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch no. 100 of August 28, 1941, I have the honor to enclose a memorandum35 of a conversation which I had recently with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in regard to suggestions that there be close coordination among America, China, and Great Britain on matters of common interest in connection with China’s war effort and the general Far Eastern situation. Appended to the memorandum is a note reporting a subsequent conversation with the British Ambassador on the same subject.
As I informed the Foreign Minister, I do not feel justified in referring the proposal for “coordination committees” to the American [Page 755] Government in the undeveloped form in which it has been submitted to me. I am prepared to discuss the matter sympathetically with a view to exploring the possibilities but at present I frankly do not see that any good purpose would be served by formally setting up Anglo-American-Chinese coordination committees to deal, I gather principally, with the matter of American lend-lease aid to China. Close liaison by the concerned American officials with the Chinese, and with the British when needed, would seem to me to accomplish the ends desired more effectively than formalized cooperation committees. However, I am keeping an open mind and shall inform the Department in regard to any further discussions I may have on the subject.
Respcetfully yours,
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