893.51/6696
Memorandum by the Adviser on International Economic Affairs (Feis) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: The Secretary of the Treasury informed me today that conversations were being held with Mr. Chen and his mission in an effort to define any possible action of use to China and within the scope of practicability for this Government. Up to the present, I think the discussions have dealt with silver and the possibility of speeding up purchases. The Secretary asked whether I thought Mr. Hull would care to receive Mr. Chen on a purely courtesy visit. I expressed the judgment—subject to correction—that Secretary Hull would rather not at the present moment, in view of the fact that there would be nothing specific to tell him and the extreme pressure of events. I suggested that later on when the discussions had defined any possibilities of action would be a better time.
The Secretary of the Treasury said that Chen was being completely candid with him and that the Chinese situation was getting desperate, and he thought this was the very last chance we would have of making a contribution to the Chinese ability to sustain themselves. He referred to the consequences of having the Western Pacific so completely under Japanese control.
[Page 563]He said that as soon as the discussions had defined themselves he would ask Mr. Hamilton and myself to come over to receive a report.