793.94/16972: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:05 p.m.]
438. Reference Department’s No. 252 of November 3, 7 p.m. I called on the Foreign Minister this morning. With regard to paragraph 2 of the reference telegram, I requested any more precise and detailed information that might be available to permit of an exact evaluation of the situation. He said that he would endeavor to obtain further information and let me have it as soon as possible but stated that there might be some delay. Regarding paragraph 4 I informed him of the Department’s comments with which he readily agreed saying he would mention them to the Generalissimo when he saw him this afternoon. He was obviously embarrassed that the matter had been put forward, perhaps prematurely, through other than regular diplomatic channels. He said that the message to Churchill quoted in the message to the President was sent through the British Ambassador here.
Without special reference to the Generalissimo’s message, I took advantage of an opportunity to make the general observations contained in paragraph 3. In the conversation that ensued the Foreign Minister manifested a clear understanding of the American Government’s position.
My replies to other portions of the reference telegram will follow. The Department’s No. 254 of November 4, noon, has been received.