E WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 14, 1941
My dear Halifax:
Here Is a rtraft Mt*a message to General
Chiang Kai-Shek and a«cftNaft-pJ' a similar message
from me to Kr. Stalin.    They are self-explanatory.
I hope you will ask London if they will
go ahead with the holding of the Singapore confer-
ence and also instruct your people in Chungking
and Moscow to take part in the proposed meetings
as soon pb they are held by Chiang Kai-Shek and
Stalin.    I assume, of course, that Australia and
New Zealand will be represented in Singapore.
Always sincerely,
The Right Honorable the Viscount Halifax, K. G.,
The British Ambassador,
Washington, D. C.
THK PRKSlDlflrr 10 THK USmatAUsSlUOT
In my Judgment it la of the highest importance that immediate
stops be taken to prepare the way for our ooanon action against out
enemy.   To this end I respectfully suggest that you call a joint military
conference to take place in Chungking not later than December seventeenth
to exchange information and to consider the Military and naval action
particularly in oaetern Asia, which nay moat effectively bo employed to
¦as—pi 1 eh the defeat of Japan and her allies.
I suggest that the conferees consist of representatives of China,
Great Britain, the witch. United States and the U.S.S.K., and I an prepared
to designate at once Major General George H. Brett aa representative^ of
the United States assisted by Brigadier General John Uagruder.
It ia my thought that this conference arrive at a concrete
preliminary plan and that this plan be communicated in the greatest
confidence to mm by Saturday, ueeember twentieth*
Zt should also be communicated by the Hussion, British and witch
representatives in the utmost secrecy to their respective Governments.
while your preliminary conference ia mooting in Chungking, I am
asking the British to hold a military and naval conference in binge pore
to include Chinese, American and Dutch offioera and report operational plana
aa they see the situation in the southern tone,
I am also asking Mr. Stalin to talk with Chinese, American and
3* tHK PftKSlUWf tU THIS OflltglT.Iftliat) (cont)
British representatives in Moscow and lot me have his views from the
Northern viewpoint.
these estimates and recommendations will give all of ns equally
a good picture of our joint problem.
Z venture to hope that these preliminary conferences especially
that in Chungking may lead to the establishment of a permanent organisation
to plan and direct our joint efforts*
X am working hard on continuing our contribution to your supplies
and am trying to increase It*
I send you my very warm personal regards*
- THl PRiSSlDOIT TO MR. ST ALU i
la my judgment it is of the utmost importance that immediate
stop* bo taken to prepare the way for common action not merely for the
next few week* bat also for the permanent defeat of hitleriam. I very
men wioh that you and 2 could meet to talk thie over personally. But
because that is impossible at the moment I am seeking to initiate three
preliminary moves which I hope will be preparatory to a more permanent
Joint planning*
first, I am suggesting to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Aek that ho
call a conference immediately in Chungking consisting of Chinese, Soviet
British, Dutch and American representatives.   Thie group would moot not
later that December seventeenth and report to their respective Governments
in the greatest confidence by Saturday, December twentieth*   this would
give us the preliminary picture of the Joint problem from the angle of
Chungking*
Second, I am asking the British to assemble a military-naval
conference In Singapore, reporting by Saturday the twentieth principally
from the operational angle in the southern zone.
Third, X would be very happy if you personally would talk with
American, British and Chinese representatives in vosoow and let mo have
/our suggestions as to the whole picture by Saturday the twentieth.
Fourth, I am during this coming week covering the same ground
with British Missions here and will send you the general picture from
Ma w* vmatuxrr 10 a*, otaum (oont)
this end.
I have had • good talk with Litvinev and I fully appreciate
all of yew iaaodlate preblofii•
Again I want to toll you of the roml enthueiaaa throughout
tho United statoa for tho progree* your amlee oro aaklng in the
dofonoo of Jww groat nation.
X venture to hopo that tho nrolljBinary 0 nforoneoa I .have
outlinedfor thit coming nook amy load to tho oatabllohaont of a
¦oro pomonont organisation to plan our of forte.
Bopkine and I aond our vara poraonal regarda.