Wednesday, 13 January

At 11.00 a.m. I went to Mr. Shao Lizi’s place and discussed Soviet policy with him. He absolutely agreed with the abstract I submitted to the Generalissimo. He also said that Soviet Russia had long distrusted its Embassy, suspecting it was unable to keep secrets. As there are a lot of personnel in the Embassy, whatever they want to do has to go through a definite procedure which means passing through many staff. Furthermore, all matters have to be put through the personnel of the related countries, and this includes even more people. This helps explain the distrust. In this sense, Shao thought that if there were changes in the international condition, the only thing the Ambassador could do was provide help in the process, our country should dispatch important officials to negotiate. What Shao said is quite reasonable. With reference to the relationship between Soviet Russia and the Comintern, as well as with the Chinese Communists, Mr. Shao also generously shared his opinion.

At 12 noon, I went to the Generalissimo’s residence to report to him and have lunch. Zhang Zhongfu (張忠紱)[1] proposed we should start to study and pay attention to our post-war policy towards Japan so as to prevent the British and the Americans imposing strange and disadvantageous ideas on us. Wang Fansheng (王芃生) reckoned that the Japanese would attack the Soviets soon because a) further procrastination would be beneficial towards British and American preparations, b) the navy has no hope of advancing in the South to attack India. He listed evidence as follows: a) Japanese magazines advocate quick and decisive wars.  b) That Wang Jingwei’s puppet government has declared war on Britain and the United States is evidence that Japan is ready to use China’s resources. c) Shares related to Soviet Russia have been going down, and those related to Southeast Asia have not moved, d) Any organisation which was related to Japan and Soviet wars, like the budget for the Japanese Kantōgun (關東軍), has been increased, but the commanding section of Taiwan and others have not increased. Wang also reported on the internal unrest of Japan, and the news that Prince Chichibu (秩父宮)[2] had probably been killed.

Zheng Zhenyu invited me to lunch at the Deputy Commander, (Guo Jijiao(郭寄嶠)’s residence (No.6, Jialing New Estate) of Guo Jijiao(郭寄嶠). Did not arrive there until 2.00 p.m. We talked for a little while and then went to see Bai Chongxi (白崇禧) [3] with He Sui and we talked about the international and diplomatic situation. He said he had already proposed twice to Minister Song that we should improve the relationship with Britain. He reckoned that Japan did not dare risk attacking Soviet Russia. He also talked at length about possible future changes concerning diplomacy.

Huang Chaoqin (黃朝琴)[4] visited me. After we talked I phoned Wang Chonghui and recommended him for the East Asia department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xiao Jishan (蕭吉珊) came and we talked about the new Sino-British Treaty. I gave him the full picture on the negotiations.

[1] Zhang Zhongfu (1901-1977) was a diplomat and a scholar of political science.

[2] Prince Chichibu (1902-1953).

[3] Bai Chongxi (1893-1966) was a senior Nationalist military leader from Guanxi.

[4] Huang Chaoqin (1897-1972) was a diplomat. He was born in Taiwan and received his university education in both Japan and the United States.