Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, China, Volume VI

740.0011 Pacific War/3928: Telegram

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

Chungking, May 31, 1944—noon.
[Received 12:30 p.m.]

924 [942]. Chinese Intelligence told Military Attaché and Naval Attaché⁸² “in confidence” that Japs now have in Wuhan–Kiukiang area 11 divisions and 2 tank regiments, about one half of force on each side of Hankow–Canton Ry.; 4 divisions and 1 tank regiment in Canton area; 9 divisions transported from Manchuria into China proper since conclusion Soviet-Jap Fisheries Pact;⁸³ and that Japs 34 divisions in China greatest since outbreak of war. Chinese Intelligence professes to believe Japs will try to clear Hankow–Canton Ry. and reportedly Japs have moved last days from Yochow two-thirds of distance to Changsha.

2. Chinese Intelligence also told NA that Chinese now certain that Soviet-Jap pact has secret clause making it safe for Japs to move troops from Manchuria and that this information comes from puppet official who saw copy of agreement.

3. Embassy has for some time been endeavoring to formulate a reasonable estimate of military situation in China. Situation continues, however, to be obscure. Chinese do not permit foreign observers at the front; their communiqués have appeared recently to increase in inaccuracy and deceptiveness; and the thesis that Soviets and Japs had come to some agreement injurious to Chinese interests and those of United Nations in this area, originally put forward privately by the highest quarters, has now apparently become a definite propaganda line for Intelligence officers, as indicated above, and subordinate political and publicity officials. Although Chinese authorities publicly claim to have “recaptured” a number of places in Honan and deny Jap capture of Loyang on May 25, they admit privately that Loyang has actually been in Jap hands for several days and there is some reason to suspect that the Chinese ululus [claim?] of recapturing certain Honan [places, suggests?] [c]ogent reasons to assume that Japs would wish to restore Hankow–Canton Ry. and are now driving on Changsha. MA and others believe they are capable of taking Changsha and perhaps Hengyang; MA does not however credit them with capability of restoring and holding Hankow–Canton Ry. and feels they may plan to use Hengyang as base for paratroop and other expeditions to knock out our southeastern air based. It seems to us Japs capable of occupying Hankow–Canton Ry. at least temporarily to cut off eastern China, if their forces are as great as claimed by Chinese and of holding that line if additional Jap forces are brought in. Whether this is definitely their intention is not as yet clear. Re question Chinese claim that nine Jap divisions have been moved into China proper from Manchuria and [I?] consider MA’s estimate of about two divisions is probably correct. While Soviet MA states all Soviet military advisers are being withdrawn from China “because they are needed in fighting in Europe” their activities have for long been so circumscribed that we do not read into this move any special significance (see our 941, May 31⁸⁴) unless it is intended to indicate to Chinese that Soviet Government is not pleased with increasing anti-Soviet propaganda put forth by Chinese officials in one way or another, especially since the Sinkiang incident of April 12.⁸⁵

Gauss

82. Capt. Henry T. Jarrell, U. S. Navy.
83. According to a protocol on March 30, the Government of the U. S. S. R. and the Imperial Government of Japan reached agreement on certain amendments and the prolongation for a period of 5 years of the fisheries convention between the U. S. S. R. and Japan.
84. Post, p. 793.
85. See pp. 758 ff.