-2-#6148, December 19, midnight (SECTION FOUR) from London
 
little and her priority has been extremely low.  If the decision of the Allies was that China was the
instrument through which Japan was to be attacked, her priority would become very high and the
United Kingdom, United States and Russia might well be prepared to make sacrifices to ensure
China obtaining what was necessary.
     With regard to Russia, her own interests might well be served by affording the maximum
possible assistance to China as a great offensive by China would go far to remove any menace that
Japan presents to Russia in Siberia.
     With regard to (two) as long as the Burma Road remains open supplies can go in over this
route and I understand they could also be brought in over the Turkestan route from Russia.
     Maximum help to China by Russia and through Russia would probably lead to war with
Japan. This result would require examination from the angle of the effect upon Russia in her war
with Germany of involvement in war with Japan at the same time.
                         -WINANT