740.0011 European War 1939/10806: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Chungking, May 11,
1941—10 a.m.
[Received 10:38 a.m.]
[Received 10:38 a.m.]
178. Last evening before dinner, Generalissimo took me aside and asked me to tell you that he had good information that Germany plans attack on Soviet Russia between end May and middle June and expressed personal opinion that any irritation of Germany by United States during that period would cause Germany to change policy and refrain from attack. I inquired whether I was to understand that he desired that Germany attack Russia, he replied in the affirmative but gave no explanation.89
Johnson
- In telegram No. 184, May 14, 11 a.m., the Ambassador in China reported that on May 13 Generalissimo Chiang amplified his remarks by stating his opinion that “if the United States entered war against Germany at present moment this would throw Germany and Russia into closer relationship, a situation which he considers would be very dangerous.” (740.0011 European War 1939/10901)↩