893.20/515: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Gauss)26
25. Your 35, January 25, noon. Please send a copy to Peck and, referring to last paragraph, instruct Peck to communicate orally, informally and most tactfully but clearly to General Chiang in confidence the view that an invitation by the Chinese Government to any officer of the United States Army on the active list to accept appointment in the service of the Chinese Government, intended toward or leading to the “lifting” of such officer from service of the American Government, would be regarded with definite displeasure by this Government. Peck should also point out by way of amplification and explanation that in American official circles it is felt that action on the part of the Chinese or of the American or of both Governments tending to give the impression that the American Government is inciting the Chinese Government to military preparedness or is assisting that Government in its own program of preparedness or is attempting to create special bonds between the military forces of the two countries would have a net effect disadvantageous to each and to both countries.
- This telegram was approved by the Chief of Staff, United States Army.↩