Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to President Roosevelt 22
My Dear Mr. President: I have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of your telegram which came on July 7,22a conveying to me your deep concern over the war situation in China and your effective suggestion to meet it.
While I fully agree with the principle of your suggestion that directly under me General Stilwell be given the command of all Chinese Army and American troops in this theater of war, I like to call your attention to the fact that Chinese troops and their internal political conditions are not as simple as those in other countries. [Page 121] Furthermore, they are not as easily directed as the limited number of Chinese troops who are now fighting in north Burma. Therefore, if this suggestion were carried out in haste it would not only fail to help the present war situation here but would also hasten the disintegration of China’s relation with America. This is the real fact of the situation and in expressing my views on your exacting and sincere suggestion, I have not tried to use any misleading or evasive language. Hence, I feel that there must be a preparatory period in order to enable General Stilwell to have absolute command of the Chinese troops without any hindrance. In this way I shall not disappoint you in your expectation.
I very much hope that you will be able to despatch an influential personal representative who enjoys your complete confidence, is given with full power and has a far-sighted political vision and ability, to constantly collaborate with me and he may also adjust the relations between me and General Stilwell so as to enhance the cooperation between China and America.
You will appreciate the fact that military cooperation in its absolute sense must be built on the foundation of political cooperation. Therefore, we must first have an agreed formula for full and effective cooperation in both the military and political spheres simultaneously before we can achieve our common objective.
Our people have an unwavering faith in your friendship and sincerity towards China. I had already explained in detail to Vice President Wallace on this subject and I trust he will transmit my views to you.
I shall much appreciate it if you will discuss directly with Dr. Kung on any important question of this nature whenever it should arise in the future. If you have any telegram for me you can give him for transmittal.
With my warmest personal regards.
Yours truly,