Chiang told American reporter Lewis Gannett in 1926, “Thinking men in China hate America more than they hate Japan.” Japan talked to China in terms of ultimatums. “She says frankly that she wants special privileges,” Chiang said. “We understand that and know how to meet it.” But the Americans, he said, “come to us with smiling faces and friendly talk” but do nothing to help China. “Because we have been deceived by your sympathetic talk,” Chiang said, “we end by hating you most.”
