Thursday, 24 February

Snow, sun

The Iranian Ambassador, Ahy, invited me to lunch, Ambassador Kerr was also there. I talked to him about Churchill’s speech. He said that the Soviet side was satisfied. Minister Korneichuk asked him about the second war zone last night and why it was being procrastinated over for so long. Kerr said he should ask Stalin because all the detailed plans were decided by the three leaders at the Tehran Conference. The Mexican Ambassador was also there. He was at the banquet last night, and afterwards danced with the famous dancer Lepeshinskaya. His steps and quality of dance were as good as a professional dancer, and he did not leave Lepeshinskaya and allow her to dance with others. The South American ministers wanted to dance with her, but he declined. In the end it was the Canadian Military Attaché who cut in suddenly when they danced, forcing him to let her go. This type of behaviour makes him a laughing stock among the diplomats, but he still doesn’t realise and was quite proud of himself. Today everyone laughed at him, but on the contrary he felt proud. The thoughts and habits of South Americans are quite different from the common people. Since I came here, I have never danced at public functions, because of my status, I have to find wives whose husbands must be of my ranking. They should not be too young and so are not of a dancing age. Certainly they would not be happy with dancing, I also shared the same feeling should I dance with younger ladies, then I will compete with young secretaries and counsellors. In terms of status, post and character, I think it is inappropriate for me to dance. So I decline from doing so.

Yesterday the American navy pushed further West and bombarded the two islands Saipan and Tinean of the Ladrones Islands (a Mariana Is.). That island is to the North of Guam and 1,300 miles from Japan. It is also close to our coast. If the Japanese navy doesn’t come out to fight, there is a possibility that the American navy will dash to the Chinese coast.

The Red Army recaptured Dno this morning.

London was bombarded last night. Many houses were destroyed and there were many casualties.

At 11.30 in the morning I studied Russian. I still found The Three Sisters too difficult as textbook. But Mishina insists I use it.