893.00/10–1344
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
No. 3054
Chungking, October 13,
1944.
[Received November 1.]
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s despatch 3048,
October 11, 1944, “Third Plenary Session of Third People’s Political
Council”, I have the honor to enclose a memorandum containing the substance
of certain remarks attributed to General Chiang Kai-shek during the course
of his address of September 16, 1944 to the delegates of the People’s
Political Council. A summary of the Generalissimo’s speech of that date was
contained in enclosure no. 527 of the Embassy’s reference despatch, but certain
confidential portions of his address were not published. The enclosed
memorandum purports to give the substance of his unpublished remarks which
were set down in writing by a P. P. C. delegate. The Embassy has no reason
to doubt their accuracy, having received similar information from other
sources.
With regard to the Honan campaign, it will be noted that the Generalissimo
assumes responsibility for the military debacle that took place there in an
apparent endeavor to shield General Tang En-po (there was considerable
sentiment among the delegates of the P. P. C. for the execution of General
Tang as the officer primarily responsible for the debacle).…
The Generalissimo asserts that he was promised at the Cairo Conference that
the Burma Road would be opened in the course of the present year, but that
this pledge was withdrawn at the Teheran Conference.
The Generalissimo reports briefly in regard to Sino-Russian relations, on the
possibility of converting the P. P. C. into the national parliament, on
economic and financial affairs, and on the Nelson–Hurley mission to
Chungking.
Respectfully yours,
[Page 644]
[Enclosure—Extract]
Memorandum Prepared for the Embassy in China
Chungking, October 13,
1944.
Subject: Substance of Certain Remarks Attributed to
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in Course of His Address of September 16,
1944, to People’s Political Council.
Military situation.…
During the past five months the military situation has been rather bad.
All of us are very much worried. I myself am responsible for this
desperate situation. But I am confident that our revolutionary spirit
will tide over the present dangers. At the Cairo Conference I told
President Roosevelt that if the Burma Road were not opened sometime in
the period from February to June 1944, China would collapse economically
and militarily. So at the Conference it was spontaneously decided to
open the Road with land and naval forces. Unfortunately, this decision
was changed at the Teheran Conference where the decision was made to
pursue the strategy of defeating Hitler first. Upon hearing this
decision I was very disappointed and vexed and immediately asked
Roosevelt and Churchill to reconsider and rescue us from danger. I think
the defeat of China would affect the whole plan of victory. Now our
situation is rather dangerous. I wish to tell you frankly that from now
on to the end of the year China will face the most unprecedented dangers
and difficulties ever seen in its history.
Foreign Policy. One thing about the Cairo
Conference I wish to point out is that I had a concrete plan for the
recovery of our lost territories which I requested Roosevelt to present
to Stalin. Roosevelt opposed it and Churchill agreed to it. No sooner
had Stalin seen it than he entirely agreed to it. This made me very
happy because this is friendship from Russia. Unfortunately, the
Sinkiang affair happened, but it has been amicably settled. I have full
confidence that Sino-Russian relations will be easily improved. Mr.
Wallace contributed greatly to Sino-Russian friendship.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
