740.0011 Pacific War/2561a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
527. According to an Associated Press report dated Chungking June 16, a Chinese Government spokesman admitted that Japanese forces driving eastward and westward were within 80 miles of junction along the Chekiang-Kiangsi Railway. It is understood that some time ago the Chinese removed rails and possibly other equipment from this railway and used them in the construction and operation of a railway from Hengyang to Kweilin. The Department would appreciate receiving any information which may be available on this point.
The Department would also appreciate receiving your comments in regard to the current Japanese military operations in central and eastern China and your estimate of their effect on the general situation in China.
The Department desires to be kept as fully informed as possible of current developments and suggests that, for the time being, you telegraph at weekly intervals your comments on developments and your appraisal of the situation as a whole. Any information of special significance should of course be reported immediately.