Mr. Willkie was given an enthusiastic welcome by the Chinese Government, the
press and the civilian population from the time of his arrival at Chungking
on October 2 until his departure on October 7. The principal streets of the
city were decorated with banners bearing messages of welcome to Mr. Willkie
and acclaiming Sino-American cooperation, and the streets were lined on the
day of his arrival with Chinese waving American flags. Chinese newpapers at
Chungking during Mr. Willkie’s visit were filled with special articles
devoted to his career, editorials approving his visit and items covering his
activities while in China.
Editorial comment concerning the visit emphasized three principal points: (1)
the genuine friendship existing between the Chinese and American people, (2)
the identical outlook between China and the United States and (3) the
necessity of all-out cooperation between
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China and the United States during the post-war
period. The Ta Kung Pao (influential independent
daily), referring to Mr. Willkie’s visit to the industrial areas, points out
that China’s failure to show a more significant industrial effort is due to
the “unequal treaties” as well as the insufficient efforts of the Chinese
people and the obstructive policy of Japan and appeals for the strengthening
of China’s war and post war economy through American aid, the need for which
Mr. Willkie will be able to see during his visit to China and for which he
will be able to take measures of assistance after his return to the United
States. The I Shift Pao (Catholic) comments favorably
upon Mr. Willkie’s views of the post-war world and acclaims his attitude on
the question of racial equality and freedom. The Ta Kung
Pao feels that the United States should lead the way in removing
long standing prejudices concerning racial equality and notes with approval
Mr. Willkie’s views pertaining thereto.
The dominant note of Mr. Willkie’s speeches during his visit to China has
been that of freedom, racial equality, justice and opportunity for all
nations and peoples, the pledging of all-out American aid to all her allies
and the painting of a favorable picture of American war production. Mr.
Willkie stated in one speech that his purpose in making this visit was
twofold: (1) to stimulate the war effort of the countries which he visits
and (2) to help build a post-war world order under which all people shall
have the right to determine their own social and political societies and
live in freedom and justice regardless of race, creed or color. At a final
interview with the press on the day of his departure, Mr. Willkie read a
prepared statement in which he emphasized the need for offensive action by
the United Nations, the necessity of increased aid for China and the Soviet
Union, and the belief that the principles of the Atlantic Charter should be
given concrete application to the peoples of Asia and that such action
should not be postponed to the post-war period but rather should be given
implementation now by all the United Nations jointly.
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
Mr. Willkie’s visit to China was cordially welcomed by the Chinese
Government. Elaborate arrangements were made for his reception and
entertainment, and for popular demonstrations of acclaim. Every effort
was made to evidence a most cordial attitude of friendship toward the
United States and toward Mr. Willkie personally as a
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prominent American, a “special envoy” of
the President, and a personage in American political life likely to
exercise great influence in American and world affairs affecting
China.
It is known to the Embassy that Dr. T. V. Soong, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of China, now in Washington, informed the Chinese Government
that Mr. Willkie (1) might be the next President of the United States
and (2) might be seated at the peace conference where issues vital to
China will be discussed and decided. He recommended, therefore, that the
utmost effort be made to make Mr. Willkie’s visit to China a success and
to do everything possible to win Mr. Willkie firmly to China’s
cause.
Mr. Willkie’s visit to China may be described as successful in that he
was well received and extravagantly entertained. He was extremely
cordial in his attitude toward the Chinese, energetic and untiring in
carrying out his program of visits of inspection, speeches, et
cetera.
Mr. Willkie has not held public office, nor, apparently, has he traveled
extensively abroad. His attitude at Chungking was perhaps more that of a
visiting prominent American politician than of a distinguished American
acting as a “special representative of the President”. Chinese officials
and other Chinese familiar with the United States were somewhat amused
at what they described as the American political campaign technique of
Mr. Willkie during his visit. Others not familiar with the United States
or foreign countries were somewhat confused and startled but interested
and friendly.
The principal observation made on Mr. Willkie’s visit was his attitude
toward the press—Chinese and foreign. He courted the correspondents and
newspapermen on every occasion, invited them to accompany him on his
inspection visits (although the official program did not so
contemplate), and ignoring his hosts—cabinet ministers—on such visits,
he surrounded himself with the press and encouraged them to record his
remarks. Upon his arrival at Chungking, he submitted to the press,
leaving his hosts (Chinese officials) waiting while he gave a press
interview. During his presence at receptions and other gatherings he was
quick to yield to any request of the press, abandoning his Chinese hosts
and going into a corner with the press men for as much as ten to fifteen
minutes. This attitude was rather disconcerting to high Chinese
officials, but they accepted the situation with typical Oriental grace
and Chinese good humor (if not amusement).
The diplomatic representatives of the United Nations were faithful in
their attendance by invitation at a number of functions given for Mr.
Willkie; but beyond the acknowledgement of introductions, he had nothing
to say to any of them, although he had recently visited in their
countries in several instances.
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Mr. Willkie did not visit the American Embassy. The program prepared by
the Foreign Office contemplated that he would proceed to the American
Embassy and spend the first night at the Ambassador’s residence. A
cordial invitation was extended to Mr. Willkie to do so, but he elected
otherwise. The Ambassador accompanied Mr. Willkie on his courtesy calls
on the Chairman of the National Government,29 the Generalissimo and Madame
Chiang Kai-shek, Dr. H. H. Kung, the Vice President of the Executive
Yuan, General Ho Ying-chin, Chief of General Staff, and the Foreign
Office. The Ambassador also attended the official dinners and luncheons
given by the Chairman of the National Government, the Generalissimo and
Madame Chiang, and Dr. Kung. He held a reception for Mr. Willkie
attended by the high Chinese officials, the heads of diplomatic
missions, and the American community. He also attended the reception for
Mr. Willkie given by the cultural associations. On visits of inspection
to factories, arsenals, educational institutions, etc., officers or
attachés of the Embassy were detailed to accompany Mr. Willkie—at the
request of the Foreign Office. The Naval Attaché of the Embassy
accompanied the Generalissimo’s representative to welcome Mr. Willkie
upon his arrival in China at Tihwa (Urumchi). The Military and Naval
Attachés left Chungking with Mr. Willkie on his departure to visit the
Tungkwan war front. The attachés will return to Chungking from the war
front.
Mr. Willkie had several private conversations with the Generalissimo and
Madame Chiang Kai-shek. The Ambassador was not invited to be present at
these conversations, nor was he informed by Mr. Willkie of their
purport. It is the custom of the Generalissimo and Madame Chiang to
invite prominent foreign visitors for private conversations (seldom in
the presence of the diplomatic representatives) when China’s ambitions
are disclosed and there is often complaint and criticism on the lack of
sufficient aid from one country or another, and criticism of the
attitude of one country or another.
During the courtesy call on Generalissimo and Madame Chiang on Saturday,
October 3d, Mr. Willkie devoted most of the time to pressing an
invitation to Madame Chiang to visit the United States, traveling in the
Willkie plane. In response to an inquiry from Madame Chiang whether such
a visit would be likely to produce “planes for China”, Mr. Willkie
assured her that her visit would get all the planes Madame Chiang might
desire.
Generalissimo Chiang smiled throughout this conversation but made no
commitment beyond saying that Madame Chiang had always desired to
re-visit the United States and some day she might do so.
The Ambassador informed Mr. Willkie of the desire of the Embassy to be of
any assistance to him during his visit, and to give him any
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information desired. Mr.
Willkie, however, sought no information or guidance from the Ambassador
or the Embassy. There were no consultations or discussions on Chinese or
other affairs.
