740.0011 Pacific War/1198
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador called at his request. Having an idea about the matter he wished to discuss, I proceeded first to say that on yesterday I took up very earnestly with the President and Secretary Stimson the entire problem of unifying and coordinating into joint action, as fully as might be practicable, the forces of all of the opposition to Japan and her allies in the Far East, with special reference to the South Sea area, I said that every attention is now being given to that problem, which is complex and difficult in certain respects. I added that, of course, the situation in the whole South Sea area is dangerous and calls for treatment as an emergency to the fullest possible extent by each of our countries interested in defending our interests.
The Ambassador thanked me and stated that this was one of the questions about which he had come to inquire. I said that this [Page 750] problem is now under earnest consideration and is receiving every attention.
I then stated that from the long-view standpoint, conference and collaboration are all-important at the earliest possible date with regard to joint action, et cetera, et cetera, and that we are giving this attention and shall be glad with respect to each phase to collaborate with the Government of China as we shall with respect to all other related questions of a like nature. These problems have special reference to the recent communication from the Generalissimo to the President and to General Magruder’s communication,53 received yesterday, commenting on and interpreting the former report.
I then referred to some of the main points contained in my recent talk with the Russian Ambassador on Thursday, which need not be repeated here. The Ambassador had no comment in a new or constructive way to make on this subject and no new or important information or suggestions to offer. He said he had not heard very recently from his Government on the Russian-Japanese situation.
He seemed very much pleased with what I said and with the assurances that we were giving attention to each important phase of the Generalissimo’s recent despatch. I said that we would be more than glad to work with his Government in every possible way in connection with the foregoing questions and problems, and that we did hope to see developed at the earliest date the best possible solution for both the temporary and immediate emergency and the long-view problems and conditions.