President Roosevelt to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek 52
Personal to the Generalissimo. As our common war against Japan increases in intensity and as we steadily move toward the citadel of Japan, it becomes apparent that, in addition to defeating Japan on the seas and in the air, we must engage and destroy the main body of the Japanese Army before we can surely attain the final victory. The principal concentration of the Japanese Army is in North China and Manchuria. We now begin with preparations to crush that formidable Japanese force.
Information at present regarding the enemy in North China and Manchuria is exceedingly meagre. To increase the flow of such information and to survey the possibilities of future operations, both ground and air, it appears to be of very great advisability that an American observers’ mission be immediately dispatched to North Shensi and Shansi Provinces and such other parts of North China as may be necessary.
May I have your support and cooperation in this enterprise?
- Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩