Saturday, 13 September

At seven-thirty in the moring I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Robert Ho Shai-lai came from Liuzhou. Probably he and Li Dugong and others were transferred to there to cooperate with the American Military Delegation. We went to have supper at the Daisanyuan restaurant with Lin Donghai (林東海) and Chen Ding (陳鼎). Chen Ding told me in detail about the personnel relationship network in the various embassies and consulates. He said Qian Tai was also person [loyal to] Gu Weijun, but he was relatively peaceful, but he was not easily forgiving of people, and he did not wear his happiness or unhappiness on his sleeve. Also, Qian Tai has been cooperative with Xu, therefore regarding the transfer of personnel within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he begged me to put more effort into it. Chen is quite delicate; when he was in the League of Nations, Wu Chaoshu thought highly of him. I thought he was reliable. At 9.00 p.m. Zhu Jiahua came and we talked until 10.30 p.m. He asked me why the Generalissimo gave such a speech yesterday. I said I did not know and I gave him my opinion with regard to it. He really agreed with what I said. He also had something to say and he asked my opinion. He was extremely contemptuous of the people in the Consular Office and said that he regretted the Generalissimo was coming under their bad influence. I also said that it would be better if the Generalissimo abolished the so-called weekly gathering. Instead he should gather those who are most venerated and experienced like President Sun Fo, Mr. H.H. Kung, Wang Chonghui and others, for diplomatic discussion. As the gathering was just a small one, attendants would think that they had great responsibility, and would talk from the bottom of their hearts. He thought likewise. We also talked about the America-Japan negotiations. I told him my observations. He fully agreed.

President Roosevelt broadcast his speech, saying that the United States was determined to sustain its traditional policy of freedom of navigation. If German or Italian ships trespass in those sea areas where defenses have been laid, this indicates they are willing to take the risk of causing offence. This is a further measure taken by the United States towards Germany and Italy. As for his speech, he did not mention the Far East and this is certainly because the United States and Japan are currently in negotiation.  The United States is not in a favourable place to attack Japan, so we understand it has substantial difficulties. But on the one hand the United States is so stern towards aggressive countries like Germany and Italy, whereas on the other, it is so accommodating to Japan, the aggressor of the Pacific.  No wonder China’s general public are so disappointed.