WATCHFUL WAITING IN CHINA
SEELY, Lt. Comdr. C. S.
Watchful Waitina In China By LT. COMDR. C. S. SEELY WEATHER conditions for fighting in the Orient are now about as good as they ever are, but they will remain good only until May. After May the...
...The opinions and assertions expressed above are the private ones of the writer and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the naval service at large...
...What with the rapid Japanese advance and the worsening economic situation in southwest China, Chiang is losing power fast...
...Probably the Stilwell "incident" can be coupled to the delay in getting a major drive started...
...There can be no doubt that his enemies among the Chinese are increasing in number...
...After May the heat will again make land operations difficult, then later rain and mud, especially in the Burma-South China area, will add to the difficulties of our soldiers...
...A policy of "watchful waiting" toward the Chinese situation would seem best at the moment...
...Of course we have little choice but to support Chiang at the moment, but it would seem best not to commit ourselves too deeply...
...Chiang, no doubt, still has the support of all, or at least nearly all, the old Mandarins (really feudal lords), but their position is also bad, and is becoming worse as the Japanese advance...
...Apparently only America can save him, but the extent of his worth to us depends upon how much he will be able to help us against Japan...
...Chiang obviously is hard-pressed on every hand, and will need all the sagacity and diplomacy his 17 years at the head of his section of China have taught him, to forestall disaster, both for himself and his followers...
...October is the very best time to begin a major military campaign in Burma, and I am somewhat surprised that we have not heard of more fighting there...
...Obviously our Government does not consider his present help or cooperation satisfactory...
...It is my guess that out difficulties with Chiang Kai-shek are more serious than reports indicate...
...It is doubtful how many of the Chinese people still believe that Chiang can save them, or make their position easier to bear...
Vol. 8 • December 1944 • No. 51
