740.0011 PW/8–2244: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
1108. The following is the substance of the President’s letter of August 18, 194412 directing Major General Hurley to proceed to China (Department’s 1094, August 19) as indicated orally to the Department by General Hurley: [Page 251]
You are designated as my personal representative with General Chiang Kai-shek You will report directly to me. Your mission will be to promote harmonious relations between General Chiang and General Stilwell and to facilitate the latter’s exercise of command over the Chinese armies placed under his direction.
You will be charged with additional specific duties. (General Hurley explained in this connection that the additional duties would pertain to supplies and that the directive therefor would come from the War Department.)
In carrying out your mission you are to maintain intimate contact with Ambassador Gauss at Chungking and to keep him advised of your activities.
General Hurley has specifically requested that you be informed of the foregoing. In his conversations with us he has indicated his intention to cooperate fully with you. It would appear that his activities will be primarily concerned with military matters but we have endeavored to inform him of political developments and problems in the hope that he may be able to support and assist you.
It is expected that General Hurley will depart toward the end of this week and will proceed to China via Russia. Exact information with regard to the date of his arrival in China is not available. He will be accompanied by Donald Nelson and an assistant to Nelson. Information regarding Mr. Nelson’s trip will be given you in a subsequent telegram. Colonel Edward J. McNally will be with General Hurley as aide.
- Not found in Department files.↩