At this point American impatience at last reached the point of quid pro quo, although, as sometimes happens at historic moments, the originating authority for the decision is not clear cut. Roosevelt was absent in Warm Springs. Stilwell communicated with Marshall and received assurance that unless the Y-force moved, its Lend-Lease supplies should end. Stilwell so instructed General Hearn, his Chief of Staff in Chungking, in a message reading, “I agree fully with George. If the Gmo won’t fight, in spite of all his promises and all our efforts, I can see no reason for our wasting another ton. I
...more