Madame Chiang Kai-shek to President Roosevelt 10
My Dear Mr. President: The Generalissimo and I arrived in Chungking on the morning of December 1st. On our way we inspected [Page 179] the training of the Composite Wing in Karachi. We also stopped at Ramgarh for the day to inspect the troops and to attend the practice of tanks and artillery and finally, late that night, we stopped at Chabau where we had a conference with the generals commanding the forces at the Ledo front. Admiral Mountbatten met us at Ranchi and accompanied us to the Ramgarh manoeuvers. You will be glad to know that the Generalissimo was delighted with the training and spoke to the troops exhorting them to give their best in the coming Burma campaign.
Since our homecoming the Cairo communiqué has been published. Its effect of uplifting the morale of our army and the people has been electric; in fact the entire nation is articulate to a degree that has never been known before in unanimously hailing the conference as a sure sign-post leading the Far East towards post-war peace. The leadership which you so eminently displayed and the magnificent spirit permeating all that you are undertaking for the good of humanity are subjects of conversation amongst all Chinese circles. The consensus of opinion is that “President Roosevelt is a great man and he does things in a truly great spirit.”
Immediately upon our return the Generalissimo consulted with Dr. Kung regarding the feasibility of the plan which you suggested in our conference regarding the alleviation of China’s urgent economic situation. Dr. Kung has studied its possibilities with great care and he wishes me to tell you that, in his opinion, your suggestion is both generous and kind and he thinks some feasible procedure could be worked out with the aid of Secretary Morgenthau. He appreciates the interest and concern you have shown in helping us to fight aggression not only with the military machine, but with economic weapons as well. He is impressed with the fact that you see with such clear foresight and vision that, in order to continue resistance, methods and means must be evolved to hold intact China’s economic security, a fact which you doubtless will remember that the Generalissimo emphasized was even more critical than the military.
The Generalissimo is now thinking of asking Dr. Kung or his appointee, empowered with full credentials, to go to Washington to discuss the details with the American Government and would like to know whether this is satisfactory to you. It would, of course, be best if Dr. Kung could go himself, but, failing that, he will send one of his trusted men to go in his stead.
I need not tell you how grateful we feel that you have promised to speak to the Treasury about the two hundred million gold bar arrangement.
[Page 180]The Generalissimo wishes me to thank you again for your promise to help stabilize the fapi.
With all good wishes [etc.]
(Madame Chiang Kai-shek)
P. S. I do hope “Uncle Joe”11 came up to expectations, did he? M. S. C.