740.0011 Pacific War/2504
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton)9
I
The Japanese thrust into Yunnan from Burma, following the virtual capture of Burma and isolation of free China from the outside world, has created a situation in which the Chinese Government appears to be facing the gravest crisis in its resistance against Japan.
It is, of course, not known whether the Japanese actually plan to drive on to Kunming with a view to driving the Chinese Government from Chungking by concentrated air attack or by other means, but such possibility would seem definitely to exist. Furthermore, in the light of the Chinese lack of equipment and air support, there also exists the possibility that the Japanese might succeed in capturing Kunming.
If the Chinese Government should be forced out of Chungking there would arise a serious danger that the effect on Chinese morale would be disastrous. It would not only constitute the third flight of the Chinese Government from its capitals, but would be an especially heavy blow as a sequel to another disaster—gaining of access by the Japanese to the Burma Road—and the tragic letdown from the high hopes held by the Chinese when Japan brought the United States and Great Britain into the war.
It is accordingly believed that it is vitally necessary that communications between China and the outside world be maintained—especially air transport between India and China—and that critical military supplies continue to be furnished in the greatest amount possible irrespective of the cost of money, effort or matériel.
II
Adverse effects of recent events on Chinese morale are being manifested in various degrees and kinds of expression of disappointment in and greatly diminished confidence in the attitude and capacity of Great Britain and the United States. It is believed that the implications of these manifestations are serious and should be counteracted. This Chinese change of attitude which various observers predict may [Page 54] develop into serious anti-foreignism arises in part from the heavy defeats which have been sustained by British and American arms. It cannot but seem to the Chinese the height of irony that the entry of Great Britain and the United States into war against Japan—a development for which the Chinese have been hoping for several years—has not only not resulted in relieving their precarious situation, but, by misadventure, has actually been followed by appearance of Japanese armed forces at China’s back door and has led to the closing of China’s main channel of trade and communications with the outside world. In part, this changing Chinese attitude arises from disappointment at the meagerness of military assistance furnished the Chinese, from a feeling of being neglected as regards expedition of military supplies, particularly airplanes, in favor of Allied forces elsewhere, and from resentment at the emphasis which is being placed by the United States and Great Britain on the European front at the expense of current military efforts against Japan. The Chinese see clearly the dangerous aspects of any assumption that we can let things slide in the Far East while defeating Hitler and that the crushing of the Nazi military machine in Europe will clear the way for an easy retrieving thereafter of our military fortunes in East Asia.
III
It would accordingly seem from the political point of view urgently and highly desirable that (1) we furnish China all possible military aid including (a) the immediate establishment and maintenance of air transport of military supplies, et cetera, into China and (b) the furnishing without delay of military air combat support in strength; and (2) we make every possible effort to demonstrate to the Chinese Government that we consider China an equal ally and full partner in the common cause, bring China into our councils wherever and whenever appropriate and practicable, and give every consideration through our officials at home and our diplomatic and military officers in China to Chinese sensibilities in regard to the status of China’s partnership with us and the status of China as a potential leader among the nations of East Asia.
- Shown on May 22 by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to Ashley Clarke, of the British Foreign Office, and discussed.↩