740.0011 Pacific War/1720: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—11:05 a.m.]
51. The recent United Press report of an interview with Sun Fo has not been released here, but I have obtained the signed text of the interview from which certain phrases, as indicated by parentheses, were deleted by the censor. For instance, Dr. Sun stated, for quotation,
“If the Allies’ policy is to remain solely on the defensive in the Pacific and concentrate all energies in Europe I [it] would seem to be a broad hint to China (to come to some sort of terms with Japan or) simply to sit tight (and cease fighting), thereby bringing an end to the suffering and bloodshed here at least until Hitler is eliminated.”
I do not consider that Dr. Sun’s statement is representative of general China’s swelling [feeling?] official or public (my telegram No. 45, January 17, 11 a.m. gives, I think, a reasonably correct account of the situation although there would seem to be evidence of official desire to whip up resentment) but it cannot be overlooked that responsible government authorities acquiesced in its issuance if they did not actually plan it. I believe that the part which ulterior motives may have played in prompting the issuance of the statement will be apparent to the Department.