711.93/11–3045: Telegram

The Acting Political Adviser in Japan ( Atcheson ) to the Secretary of State

177. John Service9 and I are identified with the resignation of Ambassador Hurley in meager and confusing reports which have been published here.

It is reported that Mr. Hurley charged that Chinese Communists had been advised by some Foreign Service Officers against reconciliation with the Chinese Central Government; that we “continue to interfere with the affairs of China” here in Tokyo.

It is reported also that an announcement has been made by the Department that in the “dispute with career diplomats” it is siding with Mr. Hurley and that an investigation will be made by Congress.

Some clarification would be greatly appreciated as these reports are incomprehensible.

We very much regret that we have become the objects of this publicity and we certainly have no desire to enter into any public [Page 727] dispute. However, if these ridiculous contentions have actually been made by Mr. Hurley, it is our suggestion that the best means of dispelling them would be to produce the record which, regarding my reports, would start with my long telegram which I sent from Chungking at the end of May 194310 in which I described the difficulties in China and the immediate and additional assistance to the Generalissimo and his Government.

Atcheson
  1. Foreign Service Officer assigned to the Office of the Acting Political Adviser in Japan.
  2. No. 803, May 28, 1943, 4 p.m., Foreign Relations, 1943, China, p. 57.