Tuesday, 14 November

Dull

Britain announced that they sunk the German warship Tirpitz the day before yesterday. It also said that the Chinese Government announced the establishment of the War Production Board, which will be under the control of the Ministry of Finance. Also it will be in close liaison with Donald Nelson.

The British Commercial Secretary Gifford and his wife invited us for dinner at their home. Only the American Counsellor Kennan and his wife and also the head of British Secret Intelligence Service, John W. Lawrence were present.

From 11.00 until 1.30 I studied Russian.

At 3.00 p.m. the newly-appointed Turkish Ambassador visited me. This is his third stay in Russia. The first time was in 1929-31, when he was the Secretary of the Turkish Embassy. (The Former ambassador was the head of the Embassy.) The second time was in 1936 when he was the Consul General at Odessa, therefore he can speak Russian, and understands the Russian situation very well.