893.86/6: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Gauss ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:19 p.m.]
1851. Department’s 1364, September 25, 2 p.m. Message communicated to Stilwell by letter September 28th. He replied under date of September 30th giving his personal views as follows:
“My experience with deserting seamen in India has not encouraged me to ask for more of them. We have our hands full without any extra complication and a man who will desert his ship will desert from the army. The reputation of the Chinese in India has to be carefully guarded since the British do not want them there anyway and an element of this type is sure to cause us trouble. I have had no information or instructions from the Chinese Government about the matter but if it is already settled, I have no choice but to accept it. I do not approve of the arrangement and believe it would be simpler and better for all concerned to put them into a concentration camp in the United States for the duration.”