740.0011 Pacific War/2912
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle) of a Conversation With the Assistant Chief of Staff, G–2 (Strong)
General Strong telephoned me today. He said that General Chu, Chinese Military Attaché, had requested to see General Marshall. When it was pointed out to General Chu that Military Attachés ordinarily come to General Strong and that General Marshall did not usually see them, he had based his request on the fact that at the last meeting of the Pacific War Council General Marshall had expressed his view that Burma should be retaken. General Chu was instructed by his Government to inquire of General Marshall whether he was still of the same mind.
General Strong took the matter up with General Marshall who agreed to see General Chu and repeat the views which he had stated in the Pacific War Council, though of course in his personal capacity.
General Strong thought we ought to know. I thanked him warmly for keeping us informed. General Strong said he objected to Military Attachés taking up political matters with Chiefs of Staff. He did not allow his own men to do this and he did not like to start it as a precedent.
I said we were very appreciative of that attitude. In the present case there seemed to be no harm in it, and there was good reason for showing consideration to the Chinese Military Attaché at this time. Conceivably, also, the quasi-political character of the Pacific War Council might entitle this particular request of General Chu to consideration.