Saturday, 25 September

In the morning Maurice Hindus, a very well-known American reporter, visited me. He said the American public’s opinion towards the Soviet Union has gradually soured. Even the New York Tribune, which he represented, and which was long pro-Soviet has changed its stance This is because the Soviet Union’s recent remarks have aroused suspicion among Americans. It is a great shame. He has been to China, and now he wants to go to Xinjiang again. I promised to help him.

At noon, I returned a visit to the Dutch Ambassador.

In the afternoon, I went to watch movies at the American Embassy.

At 8.30 p.m. Counsellor Liu Shaozhou arrived in Moscow and brought a letter from the Generalissimo. Its content was as follows. It is the happiest thing that the Soviet Union scored a big victory in the summer offensive. But it is unfortunate that at such an important moment the Allies suddenly had a difference of opinion. What we hoped the Soviet Union could offer was that its Far Eastern policy is in tandem with China’s. If the Soviet Union can show sincerity in its negotiations, apart from the questions of sovereignty and territory, we could try our best to accommodate. But this is not just one-sided. We have to wait until the right timing comes but can’t force our way. So I (the Generalissimo) hope you can take the time and will not miss the chance. From this I believed that the Generalissimo knows the situation here very well, and my work will be a lot easier. Counsellor Liu also reported as follows.

1) The relationship between the KMT and CCP is very tense. Since the dissolution of the Comintern, various sectors wanted to do a deal with the CCP as well, especially Minister He Yingqin and military men.

2) Many people distrusted the Soviet Union.

3) Many people around the Generalissimo thought that Japan and the Soviet Union would soon be in conflict. So the Generalissimo asked Liu Shaozhou’s opinion. Shao Zhou simply replied that it might not be the case and he explained the reasons.

4) The Soviets absolutely didn’t cooperate with the Xinjiang authority, so Wu Liquan’s work was difficult.

5) There are about 1,000 Soviet troops in Hami, but their evacuation would not be difficult. For the property they owned they asked 2,700,000 in Xinjiang currency, we bargained to 2,000,000 and it is likely that they will accept it. The central army had also arrived at Hami, the (oil refinery) and the airplane factory in Dushanzhi had been evacuated, and the price of the property is in negotiation and should not be difficult to sort. Only a few people are left.

6) The Generalissimo originally wanted to ask Shaozhou to stay behind as the Director of the West Asia Section, he declined and I have also repeatedly cabled him to return to the Soviet Union, so he is back.

7) After Chairman Lin’s death, The Generalissimo was at first unwilling to be Chairman concurrently. People wanted to elect Wang Chonghui.

8) President Kung still seems to be suspicious towards theSoviet Union and asked Shaozhou about the CCP and the Outer Mongolian issues.

9) He Yingqin is very suspicious towards the Soviet Union probably because of the situation with regard to the CCP.

10) Although Vice Minister Wu is the acting Foreign Minister, he didn’t dare make any decision. Although he has the title of Acting, his power is not very different from the time when I was at the Foreign Ministry.

11) I heard that Madame Chiang at last stayed in the White House during her visit to the United States. She is coming back soon. President Roosevelt told her that the United States wanted China to be a democratic country, but now China’s outlook is increasingly fascist. This is disappointing. I am not sure whether it is true or not.

12) The British attitude towards China is not very good either.

13) The Destiny of China by the Generalissimo (which was actually drafted by Tao Xisheng, 陶希聖)[1]) has aroused strong ill-feelings in Britain. Wang Chonghui translated it into English, but as India banned importation of it, it has not been published.

14) During my two-year stay in Chongqing, I was strongly against the act that the Chinese Government banned contact of Chinese with foreign people. But now it is carried on.

15) Vice Minister Wu stayed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He knew what was going on and could speak at ease. But regarding the information Vice Minister Wu didn’t share with him he didn’t ask. So everything was fine there.

16) There have been a lot of changes within the Foreign Ministry. People are unkind towards Yunsong.

He brought many letters for me. Fanny is staying in Dushiqiao, and the two daughters are fine. I am very happy.