740.0011 Pacific War/2751: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—1 a.m.]
958. During past week Chinese have recaptured Hengfeng and Yiyang, two railway towns in eastern Kiangsi and claim that a 100–kilometer section of the railway is in their hands. Wenchow in [Page 141] Chekiang was recaptured on August 15 and the repulse of Japanese advances from Kiangshan stabilized the situation in southern Chekiang, according to reports. There is no information of military activity in other sections of China. The American Air Force has reported no engagements this week.
Indian situation is cause of concern and private criticism of British on the part of Chinese officials. While admitting that circumstances may have allowed no alternative to the action taken by the Indian Government they feel that British are primarily responsible for those circumstances.
Hope is still expressed that a satisfactory solution may be found.
Official reaction to Stalin–Churchill meeting favorable [but?] officials evincing growing concern over the Russian war front [as?] they are becoming conscious of vital relation between success or failure of Russian fight against the Germans and their own fight against the Japanese. One Cabinet minister expressed the opinion that Russia should be aided now in every way or place possible and with all the military matériel [apparent omission] Russia in order to prevent further and costly modification of territory in the Caucasus which might prove disastrous to the whole Allied war effort.
Reports of the Solomon Islands [fighting?] continue to be received with interest and satisfaction.