811.244/379
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 20.]
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s despatch No. 2080 of January 28, 1944,79 in regard to plans for the establishment of a Society of Friends [Page 28] of Allied Forces in China, I have the honor to enclose82 (a) copy of a Central News Agency despatch of February 20, 1944, reporting the formal inauguration of the Society, and (b) copy of a Central News Agency despatch of February 22, 1944, containing the Declaration of the Society.
Summary. The formal inauguration of the Society, organized under the auspices of the New Life Movement Headquarters, took place on February 20. Representatives of various Sino-foreign cultural and Chinese civic organizations, which are the chief sponsors of the Society, elected Dr. H. H. Kung, Vice President of the Executive Yuan and Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Society. The purposes of the Society were said to be as follows: (1) to render service to the Allied Forces stationed in China; (2) to acquaint the Allied Forces with Chinese culture; (3) to help bring about an Allied victory; and (4) to promote friendly relations among the Allied nations. Headquarters of the Society are to be at Chungking and branches are expected to be established throughout the country with an estimated initial membership of approximately 101,000. End of Summary.
Respectfully yours,