Monday, 2 November

Alsop wrote an article from Taipei on the military training conditions there. He spoke well of the new army but concluded in agreement with General Chase, and Ambassador Karl Rankin, in warning Washington that “we are doing too much here in Formosa if all we want is a defense of Formosa and we are doing very little if we want Chiang Kai-shek to possess serious capability.” But, I think the joke is that the US does want to do more and dares not do less!

Shen Yan(沈雁) and Cui Dadi(崔大地) held jointly an exhibition of her paintings and his calligraphy at Chow Lin’s Gallery, D’Orsay. In the afternoon I went there with Guo and Xie Baoqiao. Rather disappointed with both.

I invited Mrs. Huang Qiang, Janette, Mr. and Mrs. Chen Yulin, Xie Baoqiao and Cui Dadi to dinner. Played Russian Poker with Mrs. Huang, Baoqiao and Kitty till 12.30 a.m.

Received a letter from Bingkun saying that No.5 Fuk San Lane had been sold and he had sent US$2,500 to my account in the Chase Bank.