893.00/10–3049
Dr. Kan Chieh-hou, Personal Representative of the Acting President of China, to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Since I wrote you on October 23, I have received the perturbing report that a plan is being suggested to the United States Government to write off completely not only China but the whole of Southeast Asia except India, Australia and the Philippines. The same source informs me that, while India will continue to receive the moral and material assistance of Great Britain, the United States will be responsible for giving support to Australia and the Philippines.
I have thought the matter over very carefully and come to the conclusion that I must not fail to let you have my reactions to the plan, because, if it were adopted by your Government, it would seriously affect not only the immediate destiny of my country but the future of our relations with the United States and the other democratic countries.
It will be recalled that, during World War II, it was the persevering effort of the Chinese people that held at bay more than half a million [Page 727] Japanese troops, thus resulting in the preservation of Australia and India and the ultimate victory of the democratic countries. If these countries were to abandon China and her neighbors in Southeast Asia today, it would mean that two million Communist troops would be let loose in Asia and would be left free to fall upon any area to be defended under the suggested plan. It is needless to say that this would add immeasurably to the difficulties now confronting the democratic countries in combatting the spread of Communism.
Even if the contemplated step were to be justified on the score of expediency, the repercussions which it would indubitably have on the future relations of the countries thus let down and the Western democracies would be most unfortunate. In this connection, I cannot help recalling with regret that such forces as those of General Pai Chung-hsi, whose tested strength is well-known, were prevented from accomplishing what they could have done even with a trickle of timely assistance. As an expediency, the plan would naturally envisage the final subduing of the Communists and the return of the anti-Communist elements to their own countries. How keen would their disappointment then be at the failure of their friends to come to their assistance at the most critical moment and what would remain of the ties of friendship which at present subsist between the two parties?
Please forgive me for my frankness in approaching the subject. While I do not suspect that such an ill-considered plan would meet with your Government’s approval, in view of the alarming nature of the report I feel that I should acquaint you with my views in full, in the hope that the solidarity of the anti-Communist front may be strengthened.
Yours sincerely,