811.003 Wallace, Henry A./43: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

665. In absence of Foreign Minister on his usual long weekend in the country, I saw Political Vice Minister16 this morning and informed him of the sense of your 483, April 12, 10 p.m. He undertook to inform President Chiang this afternoon. I considered this quickest and most appropriate means of handling the matter and of offsetting press reports and speculation of Mr. Wallace’s visit without giving too much emphasis to matter. Vice Minister told me that on basis of press report of intended visit of Mr. Wallace the Chinese at Washington had been instructed to extend cordial invitation and assurance of warm welcome. I suggest that well in advance of proposed visit Embassy should be informed of probable length of stay, what places Mr. Wallace may wish to visit and what he wishes specially to see and do. Needless to say Embassy wishes to be of all possible assistance and service and extends cordial invitation to Mr. Wallace to use Embassy quarters and facilities in any way he wishes. My only recommendation is that he plan to talk with Americans as well as Chinese but of course give public emphasis to his contact with Chinese.

Gauss
  1. K. C. Wu, Political Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.