740.0011 Pacific War/3930: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:15 p.m.]
953. Brigadier General Ferris,86 now in command of Stilwell’s forward echelon headquarters at Chungking, in pursuance of his most [Page 91] gratifying attitude of close liaison with Embassy, has let me know confidentially that General Ho, Minister of War, in conversations and communications emphasizing present “desperate” Chinese military situation in the face of Jap operations in Honan, new operations in direction of Hankow–Canton line, and possible Jap incursions into Yunnan from Indo-China, has asked for increased United States military assistance and increased air force. At the same time he has asked that American military authorities consider whether measures cannot be taken to persuade Soviet Government to take same [some?] action which would make it impossible for the Japs to continue withdrawals from Manchuria of troops and air force for use in China. General Ho is reported as claiming withdrawal of eight divisions from Manchuria since March of this year. He has not claimed that more than three of these divisions have come into China. Our military authorities, I understand, have as yet no definite independent confirmation of the presence of these three divisions in China. It would seem to Embassy that there must have been some considerable increase of or concentration of Jap forces to permit them to undertake the present military operations in Honan and toward Changsha. It is not unlikely that some Jap forces have moved through Manchuria to the China theatre. General Ho, I understand, claims that Jap forces in Manchuria, including garrison forces, have been reduced from 31½ divisions to 17½ divisions since early 1942.
On the question of a possible approach to Soviet Government in this matter, I’m informed General Ho does not wish to have this suggestion made through Chinese Foreign Office and diplomatic channels, desiring only to submit it through Stilwell.
I feel Department should be informed of foregoing. While Embassy is not informed on Soviet attitude on conflict in Far East, it believes that anything which might be done to encourage Soviet Government to undertake activities or dispositions on Siberian border which would have effect of creating apprehension on part of Japs and of slowing down any Jap diversion of strength from Manchuria toward China or other Pacific areas would, of course, be beneficial. I have long felt that notwithstanding Soviet is not at war with Japan, its military dispositions in Siberia have represented a substantial contribution to United Nations in containing a Jap force in Manchuria in same way that continued Chinese resistance in China has been a substantial contribution to United Nations effort vs. Japan by containing a substantial Jap force in this country which might otherwise be used against us in other theaters.
- Acting Chief of Staff in the absence of General Hearn, May–July.↩