Monday, 30 October
Dull
The United States gave an official account of what happened in the Philippines. They said they have sunk four aircraft carriers, two battle ships and six heavy cruisers, light destroyers and three small cruisers and six destroyers. One battle ship, three heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and seven destroyers were either severely damaged or sunk. Six battle ships, four heavy cruisers and one light cruiser and ten destroyers were slightly damaged and escaped. All in all the Japanese had mobilised 60 ships. Only two were not damaged. This has been one of the biggest victories in naval history. The Japanese navy will be unable to fight any more in the near future. In the evening, the American Counsellor George Kennan gave a cocktail party at his home. We all discussed this victory and we were absolutely delighted. I said I heard that the Japanese propaganda said that they sunk 34 American naval ships and damaged 36 and yet the Japanese side did not celebrate their victory, then I knew the Japanese losses must be enormous. Otherwise it would not be necessary to falsely propagate that they they have sunk so much of the American fleet. The Mexican Ambassador and the others all deeply respected my understanding of the Japanese psyche.
Charles de Gaulle ordered the disbanding of all the non-official armies. His aim was certainly to deal with the volunteers organised by the Communist party. I would not dare say whether this will cause any problem or not, and this was enough to say that the British and French sides have started to eliminate the power of the Communist Party. The Soviet Union has actively expanded its power in Eastern Europe and areas around the Near East. I am afraid that if both sides continue this kind of policy there will be a Third World War, and our country’s situation of our country would become even more difficult. When I thought of this I was very pessimistic.
Today the Soviet Union has formally announced the full text of the truce with regard to Bulgaria. Overall speaking the terms are generous.