740.0011 Pacific War/15192/4
President Roosevelt to the President of the Chinese Executive Yuan (Chiang)58
From the President to the Generalissimo: In my judgment it is of the highest importance that immediate steps be taken to prepare the way for our common action against our common enemy. To this end I respectfully suggest that you call a joint military conference to take place in Chungking not later than December seventeenth to exchange information and to consider the military and naval action particularly in Eastern Asia which may most effectively be employed to accomplish the defeat of Japan and her allies.
I suggest that the conferees consist of representatives of China, Great Britain, the Dutch, United States and the U. S. S. R., and I am prepared to designate at once Major General George H. Brett59 as [Page 752] representative of the United States assisted by Brigadier General John Magruder.
It is my thought that this conference arrive at a concrete preliminary plan and that this plan be communicated in the greatest confidence to me by Saturday, December twentieth.
It should also be communicated by the Russian, British and Dutch representatives in the utmost secrecy to their respective Governments.
While your preliminary conference is meeting in Chungking, I am asking the British to hold a military and naval conference in Singapore to include Chinese, American and Dutch officers and report operational plans as they see the situation in the Southern zone.
I am also asking Mr. Stalin60 to talk with Chinese, American and British representatives in Moscow and let me have his views from the Northern viewpoint.
These estimates and recommendations will give all of us equally a good picture of our joint problem.
I venture to hope that these preliminary conferences especially that in Chungking may lead to the establishment of a permanent organization to plan and direct our joint efforts.
I am working hard on continuing our contribution to your supplies and am trying to increase it.
I send you my very warm personal regards.