893.24/1331: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20—3:20 p.m.]
578. The first official public expression of concern over present military situation in China came yesterday when T. F. Tsiang, Government spokesman, told the press that “the immediate future for China is very grave”, that Japanese appear to be launching an all out effort to dispose of China now and that “China needs all the help which our friends can send us and they must send that help with utmost haste, otherwise United Nations may have to pay double or triple the price for future recovery.” He underlined that in the next 3 months China needs bombers and pursuits, first and last.
Situation admittedly holds serious possibilities. Japanese may have decided to undertake major offensive in China. But Embassy so far perceives no evidence of lack of Chinese determination to meet the threat nor have potential defeatist elements increased in influence.
Military situation in Yunnan is far from clear. There are many factors including weather, terrain, military logistics and what has appeared to be broad Japanese military policy and objective which would seem to preclude probability of major Japanese offensive in Yunnan. On the other hand, Japanese have frequently undertaken the unexpected [and] that possibility must not be dismissed. However, even should Japanese successfully invade Yunnan and advance on other fronts, such as Chekiang-Hunan and toward northwest, we do not believe that National Government will collapse or disintegrate or that Japanese will be able to destroy it.
Embassy recommends that Chinese plea for increased American air support should be met if at all practicable not only for its practical effect upon course of military operations against Japanese but for psychological effect on Government and people of such measure of American aid. Chinese should have early proof that we consider China a vital theatre of the war.