Thursday, 31 July

At 7.30 a.m. to the office. Xu Mo handed the work of the Political Vice-Minister over to me and from today onwards I will sign all the documents.

Guo Taiji told me that during the interview with the Generalissimo, the latter asked him whether it was true that Xu Mo intended to take a girl among his staff to Australia. Guo Taiji explained that Miss Wu had been in the Ministry for many years and that Xu would bring his own family along too. The Generalissimo said there had been a great deal of gossip about them and it would be better if Miss Wu did not go. Guo Taiji explained the difficulty of asking her to remain and the effect on Xu. The leader was not convinced and said he would speak to Xu himself. Madame Chiang was present during the whole conversation and remarked that diplomatic families should not be tainted by gossip. Guo was in a very embarrassing position and asked what he should do. I expressed no opinion. Xu Mo is not the sort of man to tolerate anybody butting into his private affairs no matter how well-intentioned they may be.