740.0011 Pacific War/2959
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: Herewith material bearing on the question of a possible Japanese offensive from Burma and/or Indochina against China (YunnanProvince).48
You might care to say to the Secretary of War that you have been watching reports bearing on this question—which is now beginning to be discussed in the American press—, and that, although the comments from the field indicate skepticism, you have noted that the U. S. military attaché at Chungking is reported to have expressed opinion that there is a possibility of such an attack and has indicated that informed sources agree that preparations in China for defense of Yunnan are inadequate and that if Kunming were lost the Chinese might be compelled to move their capital from Chungking; and you might add that the subject would appear to be one upon which the War Department might to advantage give serious consideration.
[Page 182]You might care to hand the Secretary of War a copy of the memorandum but without the last page (the page giving “Comment”). I should like with your authorization to hand a copy, with the Comment, informally and unofficially to the chairman of the J.I.C.49 committee on which I serve, with a request for his comment.