124.936/5–1445
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Counselor of Embassy in China (Briggs)45
Colonel Dusenbury and Captain Jarrell called on May 12 at my request, Mr. Smyth likewise being present.
I explained to the attachés that with the reorganization of the Political Section, the Ambassador desired that there be closer coordination between that section and the Military and Naval Attachés with respect to political reporting. We are aware of the fact that both attachés are under instructions from their respective departments to report on political matters, but it is important that these reports be integrated and in particular that no confusion be created in Washington by the arrival of reports which are not in conformity with each other.
Proper coordination may present certain difficulties pending the consolidation of offices in the Chancery, which we shall accomplish at the earliest possible date. Pending such consolidation I suggested that political reports be prepared by the attachés in draft form and that they then be shown to and discussed with either Mr. Smyth or me.
I also reminded my callers that our political reports are available for inspection by the attachés and that it is our desire to operate the entire Embassy establishment as a single team and to have everyone informed of what the various branches of the Embassy are doing. [Page 104] In this connection the weekly meetings attended by representatives of all the agencies of our Government in Chungking serve an excellent purpose as a sort of clearing house for information, questions, etc.
I also took occasion to say that in the improbable event of a disagreement concerning interpretation in connection with political reporting, the attachés are at liberty to report their own views to their own Departments, with the understanding that in that case the Embassy would be at liberty to transmit a copy of the report in question to the State Department, with a statement of our dissenting opinion. In other words, we are not trying to dictate opinions to the attachés, but endeavoring to establish the most efficient possible service for our Government in Washington.
Colonel Dusenbury and Captain Jarrell stated their agreement with the foregoing.
- Transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in China in his despatch No. 392, May 14; received May 26.↩