893.154/307
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 31.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the confidential information of the Department copies of a memorandum1 which Major James M. McHugh, U. S. M. C, Assistant Naval Attaché, has given me of a conversation which he had with General Chiang Kai-shek on January 11, in the course of which the latter expressed the hope that the United States would be disposed to send to China missions for the purpose of assisting the Chinese Government in the organization of transportation over the roads now operating between China and Burma and in the southwest,* and in the organization of the Chinese air force. Copies of Major McHugh’s covering communication to the Director of Naval Intelligence of the Navy Department, dated January 13, [Page 601] 1941, are also enclosed.2 I agree thoroughly with the comment which Major McHugh made to the Generalissimo in regard to the functions of advisers in these fields in the past. I feel, however, that the presence of such missions would be of great help materially and morally, and would be very useful indeed provided the Chinese Government is prepared to back up their recommendations and see that they are carried out. It would not be helpful if such plans as the Chinese Government may have should fail merely because we felt that they would fail and therefore refused to help. I recommend that such a mission or missions be sent as evidence of our good will. The experience that they would obtain would be worth while and there is always the possibility that the Government may be in a position to give them the police assistance necessary to their successful functioning. Personally I have no doubt that the Generalissimo is serious in his desire to make the work of such mission or missions successful.
Respectfully yours,