23rd October, 1943                     
 
                       Dear Mr. President,                  
 
                                                            
 
 
You wished me to let you know how my visit to the Generalissimo 
      passed off, I am therefore sending this letter by hand of General 
      Someznrell who will be able to confirm to you that it was an 
                       unqualified success.                 
 
                                                            
 
 
I was invited to stay at the Hyde Park of China, Huang Shan, 
   and was so able to meet them in very pleasant circumstanc
 
                                                            
 
 
My preliminary meeting was alone vrith the Generalissimo and 
      Madame Ch'iang Kaishek. I began by telling the Generalissimo 
      that I had come to Chungking at the earliest possible moment 
      even before my own staff had formed up at Delhi, as I was so 
      anxious to make his acquaintance and to discuss matters with 
      him. I pointed out what a young and relatively inexperienced 
      officer I was for such a high appointment but if I could feel 
      that I could lean on his vast wisdom and experience for help 
      and advice that it would be of the greatest help to me. This 
      line went over very well with him and he promised me his support, 
                      advice and friendship.                
 
                                                            
 
 
I went privately with him through the various points that 
      were to be raised in the Conference to be quite sure what his 
                 reactions would be in each case.           
 
                                                            
 
 
The interview closed after two hours and I then had one hour 
      alone with Madame. I told her that I fully realised that the 
      success or failure of my mission depended upon the degree of 
      support and help which I could count on from her. She told me 
      that she was used to sizing up men quickly and that she had decided 
      to become my firm friend and that I could rely on her for the 
      utmost help and support. During subsequent interviews she amly 
      proved that she meant what she said and was indeed of the greatest 
    help both at the meetings and with advice between meetin
 
      She helped me in formulating the correct line of approach on 
      some of the more ticklish problems and there is no doubt that 
      her help enabled the informal conferences to pass off more smoothly, % 
      I am told, than any Conference within the memory of those who 
      took part.