Tuesday, 22 August

Fine

From 11.00 a.m. until 1.15 I studied Russian.

In the latest issue of War and Working Class Magazine there was an editorial, saying that the head of our military delegation in the United States, Shang Zhen, told American reporters that the reason for our country’s recent defeats was because of the Soviet Union, because it did not threaten Japan on the Soviet-Japanese border. Therefore Japan was able to transfer its army from Manchuria to fight in China, and also that the Soviet Union and Japan have reached an understanding. In addition, the Soviet side was attacking the Chongqing Government. Therefore Japan could feel very relieved. The newspaper said this type of interfering act was absolutely no good for Chinese military affairs. Shang Zhen has always been a very careful person, I was really puzzled why he said that. I also sighed that the knowledge level of a Chinese militarist could be so low. I cabled the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report.

Today, President Roosevelt made a speech, saying he sent the American War Production Board Chairman Nelson to accompany Hurley to go to China. They had an important mission, but at the moment it cannot be announced. It will not affect the work of Chairman Nelson. It seems that the American side has already prepared for a large-scale war in the Far East, and with regard to helping China they seem to have concrete ideas. I felt very relieved about this.

The Allied Army advanced very quickly from the South and North of France. Today there was a British report saying that the loss of German troops since the landing to now was more than 300,000 men. If this is true, then it is possible the Germans will collapse on the West side. Also there were riots in Paris, and the German army has arrested Pétain and sent him to another place. For Pétain to be treated like this  at such a ripe old age like this is pitiful and lamentable.