COPY
(F 5558/159/10)
175
Extract of letter from Mr. G. Wallinger, Chungking, dated 13th November, 1944 addressed to Mr. J.C. Sterndale Bennett, Foreign Office No: S151/25 - 1248
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8. John Keswick, who recently arrived here from Kandy, has had a long talk with T.V. and finds him feeling confident that he is not only out of the dog- house but in a strong position; but equally determined not to assume any responsibilities whatsoever except on his own terms which boil down pretty much to acceptance by the Generalissimo of a position as titular Head of the State and the handing over of administrative and executive responsibility to T.V.!
9. That T.V. is cock-a-whoop is confirmed by Spenser Moosa of the Associated Press, who was recently invited, together with Rundle of the United Press, and Arch Steel of the Chicago Daily News, to lunch with T.V. This is the first time, since his return to Chungking a year ago, that T.V. has had any off-the-record talk with the correspondents and they appear to have gone at him with a will the Stilwell issue, the Communists, Dumbarton Oaks, the futures of Tibet, Sinkiang, Manchuria and Hong Kong, and Uncle Tom Cobley and all! In regard to Tibet, Moosa says that T.V. used the word "suzerainty" which is surprising - and said "this is a minor issue and fundamentally soluble, so that I have no fears" He professed equal confidence about Sinkiang and Manchuria; about the latter, he seemed
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