740.0011 Pacific War/2788
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador called to say goodbye.
I inquired what he thought of the progress of the war, and he promptly replied that in his opinion there had been excellent improvement. He proceeded to emphasize the Solomon Islands achievement as being highly significant in every way. He then said that winter weather would be on in Siberia within another month and therefore he was of the opinion that the Japanese were not planning to attack Russia, but to attack India; that they are moving considerable forces down to Indochina, Thailand and nearby areas, and that it would be his advice that special attention be given to these movements and their objectives. I thanked him for his views and replied that I would bring his statement to the attention of the Far Eastern Division.
In taking official leave of the Ambassador I complimented him on the extraordinarily capable manner in which he had discharged his heavy responsibilities during his tenure of office. I likewise emphasized his outstanding contribution to Chinese-American friendship. The Ambassador expressed thanks in appropriate terms.