Office of the Historian

800.0146/7–2544: Telegram

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

Chungking, July 25, 1944—3 p.m.
[Received July 25—12:18 p.m.]

1289. Foreign Minister2 told me last evening that as Chinese advance in Burma, the British have sought to send in British officials; that British requests have so far been met as a matter of course; but that British have now asked for a general agreement on the subject; and President Chiang3 in considering this request and with background of the Cairo Conference4 has instructed Foreign Minister to suggest to American and British Governments a three-power conference to settle question of administration to follow military liberation in following categories which will arise in Pacific areas:

1.
Former territories such as Manchuria, Formosa and Pescadores for China, Burma and Malaya for Britain, and Philippines for U.S.A.
2.
Colonies or possessions of other powers such as French Indo-China and Netherlands East Indies. Three-power conference might need to expand to four-power conference with particular reference for instance to Netherlands East Indies.
3.
Thailand.
4.
Territories heretofore under Jap mandates.
5.
Japan proper.

In general discussion Soong intimated China will expect to send Chinese officials into Manchuria and Formosa, for example (he repeatedly referred to Manchuria), while we would send Americans into Philippines and British would re-enter Burma and Malaya whatever the nationality of the liberating forces. As to Japan proper, he remarked that China would want to be represented in any administrative authority whatever the nationality of the occupation forces and no matter whether Chinese were part of such forces.

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Soong said China would expect to “follow the President” in attitudes on subject. He indicated some exposition would be needed of our attitude on French Indo-China, Netherlands Indies and Thailand.

Soong said that before proceeding formally to make the proposal to Washington and London as directed by President Chiang, he wished first to submit the matter informally through me to American Government alone to ascertain our views on proposal, which views he will await before making any approach to the British.

He gave it as his personal opinion that Washington might be desirable as venue for proposed conference.

Refer to our despatch 1588, September 17, 19435 on administration of liberated areas.

Gauss
  1. T. V. Soong.↩
  2. Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China.↩
  3. For documentation on the Cairo Conference, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943.↩
  4. Not printed, but see telegram No. 1819, September 28, 1943, noon, from the Ambassador in China, Foreign Relations, 1943, China, p. 839.↩