. By 1943, the British government began to realize the consequences of continuing to condone Japan's arbitrariness. They have realized that even if they simply consider the interests of Britain, the consequences cannot be ignored. Churchill called Roosevelt before the Pacific War broke out, saying that "if China collapses, it will greatly increase the crisis between Britain and the United States." In addition, they also feel the pressure from Washington to adopt a more positive attitude and more beneficial policies towards China. During the Arcadia Conference, Churchill wrote to Wavell and said, "I must explain the American point of view to you. In the eyes of many Americans, China is as important as the British Empire. " "If I want to sum up what I learned in the United States in one word, it is' China'." More importantly, the China people's heroic and tenacious spirit of sacrifice and the suffering of brutal aggression have aroused the sympathy and support of people all over the world, including the British people, and the country's reputation and status have actually been improved unprecedentedly. The combination of these factors finally prompted the British authorities to adopt a more friendly and positive attitude towards China. The leaders of the British government have repeatedly said to Gu Weijun: "In order to solve many problems that will inevitably arise after the war, close cooperation between the two countries is not only the desire of both sides, but also very necessary."

Inviting Song Meiling to pay a state visit to Britain is a gesture and action of the British government to strengthen friendly relations with its ally China. Song Meiling visited the United States at the invitation of President Roosevelt. The American government gave Song Meiling a very grand reception, and her speeches in various places were warmly welcomed as never before. In this case, the British government believes that Song Meiling's visit to Britain will certainly help strengthen the friendly relations between China and the British government and people, regardless of China's position in the allies or Song Meiling's position in China.

However, Song Meiling has not yet made a decision on whether to visit Britain. Although Song Meiling likes English literature, he is disappointed with Britain's performance since the Japanese invasion of China, so he has no confidence in the British. This is based on many facts:

Britain's Far East strategy is to safeguard its vested interests. The British Empire is an enduring empire and the largest colonizer in the world. It has always claimed that it was established for the benefit of the suzerain, not for the benefit of the colony. Maintaining vested interests is the main goal of its global strategy. Before and after the September 18th Incident, during the British economic crisis, Chancellor of the Exchequer Chamberlain warned the government, "Under the current conditions, we are not even as financially and economically capable as militarily to launch a great war in the Far East." Britain is afraid that war will make their "trade and influence in the Far East" disappear. Therefore, in the process of solving the Far East issue, we have always insisted on avoiding war and seeking peace, and adopted the appeasement policy of appeasing Japanese aggression. To this end, Foreign Minister Simon made a brief explanation:

Policy reconciliation with Japan.

For China-don't just rely on other countries, do your part, and don't seek help from allies.

For Japan, we don't want sanctions.

1931September 2 1 day, the Nanjing government filed a lawsuit against the League of Nations, demanding that the League of Nations take action to stop Japanese aggression. Britain manipulated the League of Nations to adopt two successive resolutions, without any condemnation of Japanese aggression, but indiscriminately. At the same time, it calls on China and Japan to stop the conflict, withdraw their troops and put the aggressors and victims in the same position.

In the July 7th Incident, Japan tore up the nine-nation convention and launched a full-scale war of aggression against China, which changed the international pattern of the Far East and produced sharp contradictions with the established policies of the British Empire in the Far East. However, since the German fascists came to power, the European war was on the verge, and Britain put its strategic focus on Europe and had to seek the help and support of the United States in the interests of the Far East. "It is completely consistent with the United States and has gone as far as possible, not before or after." At that time, the United States had clearly declared that it was unwilling to sanction Japan. The Chamberlain government hoped that Japan and Britain would compromise and ease the contradiction between Britain and Japan at the expense of China's interests. Britain and Japan signed the Agreement on Measures for Repaying China's Foreign Debt by Tariff in wartime and the Arita-Clichy Agreement, which are typical manifestations.

Since the goal of the Japanese is to monopolize China, the Chamberlain government, despite its painstaking efforts, is nothing less than tiger skin. 165438+1On October 3rd, after the Japanese army occupied Wuhan and Guangzhou, the Guards made a second statement to China, publicly demonstrating Japan's determination to monopolize China. Only after this did the British authorities wake up from a dream, became tough and began to take some measures to deal with Japan.

1938 165438+1October16, British Deputy Foreign Secretary Butler announced that Britain was studying providing loans to China to build the Burma Road. On March 8th of the following year, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that HSBC, Macquarie Bank and the National Bank of China would jointly set up a foreign exchange equalization fund of 6.5438+million pounds to promote British trade and investment in China, which was a great blow to the Japanese attempt to "try to cause the collapse of the fiat currency" ... and made the central government of China financially self-destruct. Britain has also strengthened its military ties with France and the United States, and the three countries held a meeting in Singapore on countermeasures for defense in the Far East.

1939 After the outbreak of the European War, German fascism swept Europe. In order to avoid fighting on two fronts, Britain continued to seek compromise from Japan and made concessions again and again. 1June, 940, France was defeated and the British expeditionary force suffered heavy losses. Taking advantage of Britain's predicament, Japan coerced Britain to close the Burma Road, so as to cut off China's foreign aid, shake China's confidence in the war of resistance against Japan and solve the China issue. Churchill, the new prime minister, said: "Under the current new situation, we should not invite hostility from Japan for the sake of prestige." On July 7, Britain and Japan signed a road closure agreement to close the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway for three months.

Although Britain tried to curry favor with Japan by closing roads to gain temporary security, the Japanese army's southward advance shattered its dream. 1On September 23rd, 940, Japan occupied the northern part of French Indian zhina, and the signs of competing with Britain and America for Asian colonies became increasingly obvious. On 27th, German, Italian and Japanese officially signed the triple alliance in Berlin. The crisis of the British-Japanese war is approaching. Only then did Britain feel that "the appeasement policy in East Asia could not achieve the expected results." Under the influence of American Far East policy, Britain decided to use China's anti-Japanese forces to contain Japanese attacks, so as to maintain the balance of power in Asia. So Britain rejected Japan's request to extend the closure of the Burma Road and reopened it in June+10/October 65438+August 65438. Later, many soldiers were sent to China to study guerrilla warfare. 194110 In October, the British government appointed Major General Dennis as the military attache in Chongqing, and began to establish a Sino-British military alliance with China.

194 1, 1 established the "China-Myanmar-India-Malaysia Military Investigation Mission", headed by Shang Zhen and Lin Wei, and went to Myanmar, India, Malaysia and other countries for a three-month field investigation, and reached an agreement on the military plan to preserve Myanmar. In May and June, China submitted a report of more than 300,000 words based on the investigation, and drew up the draft defense plans of China, Britain and Myanmar. However, Britain did not pay attention to this survey report. Soon, the China army put forward the "China-Britain Defense Opinion" to the British side, which was also not adopted. More than half a year has passed, and Britain has neither prepared for Sino-British defense nor agreed to the deployment of China's troops in Myanmar. This is because the British military authorities believe that with the signboard of the British Empire and the great strength of Britain, the Japanese aggressors will never dare to provoke easily, and they will never be attacked by the ground in the Malay Peninsula and Myanmar. Even if Japan wants to cut off the Yunnan-Myanmar highway, it will definitely be from the border between China and Myanmar or Laos, not through Myanmar. On the contrary, Britain regards China as a "nationalist country that threatens its colonialist policy for a long time", prevents China forces from entering its colony of Myanmar, and is afraid that China will not leave after entering Myanmar, so it does everything possible to oppose China's garrison in Myanmar, stressing that China's troops can only be deployed on the border between China and Laos and China and Myanmar. Because of Britain's vanity and stubbornness, the issue of Sino-British military cooperation was shelved and the opportunity was missed.

After the outbreak of the Pacific War, at the suggestion of Chiang Kai-shek and with the consent of American President Roosevelt, China, the United States and Britain held a joint military conference at Chiang Kai-shek's official residence in Chongqing, which was called the "East Asian Military Conference" in history.

Song Meiling attended the meeting and witnessed the dispute between Chiang Kai-shek and Commander-in-Chief Wavell, the British representative in India. In order to safeguard the interests of the allies, Chiang Kai-shek proposed that "if Britain needs it, China can send 80 thousand people to Burma to fight." Wavell proudly replied, "If your army liberated Myanmar, it would be a shame for the British." It is clearly stated that "we only need to ask China to lend American aid in good faith", and the materials borrowed by Britain from China are "eager to be repaid in full after the critical moment has passed", so as to avoid giving China the impression of "coming here for help". Wavell's irrationality and contempt for China angered Song Meiling. In her speech, she pointed out: "Please pay attention to the status of China!" Stimson also criticized Wavell for being "too arbitrary and unrealistic and treating China in the old English way."

Roosevelt also tried to persuade Churchill not to underestimate the role of China. He said to Churchill, "What if China, with a large population, followed the path of the Japanese for nearly a century and had modern weapons?" He asked Churchill to give up the idea of colonial empire. If China is to play the role of a great power in the future, it must be treated as a great power now. Churchill replied disapprovingly, "I didn't become the British Prime Minister to preside over the funeral of the British Empire."

After the outbreak of the Pacific War, the British Far East troops were at a loss under the attack of Japan, and the British Navy's Far East Fleet was completely annihilated, and Myanmar and India were in a hurry. Britain turned to China for help. China did not flinch when the people of the world and the world anti-fascist battlefield needed it most. The first expeditionary force he sent, 654.38+ 10,000 China officers and men, fought bravely under the condition of poor support, fought bravely in the face of despair, and fought side by side with ancient and yenangyaung, which once caused a sensation in the British Isles. General Dai Anlan died heroically, and General Sun Liren was awarded the Royal Medal. Britain has always been extremely selfish. When the Chinese Expeditionary Force attacked near Yangon, Myanmar, it quickly retreated. In the whole defense of Myanmar, the British did not make any strategic cooperation, and even did not provide any information about Myanmar to the China army. They just want to escape to India under the cover of China's army. The failure of the Chinese expeditionary force has its own "credit" from the British army.

On May 10, British Prime Minister Churchill praised the role played by the Soviet Union in various battlefields, but made no mention of China's anti-Japanese war and China's efforts on the battlefield in Myanmar, including the sacrifices made to help the British army. This angered Chiang Kai-shek. He accused: "The British people ignored our Burmese army, and Churchill's attitude was tantamount to spitting at me, returning good for evil, snobbery and disloyalty!"

In the campaign to abolish the Covenant that began in 1942, the attitudes of Britain and the United States were completely different. Britain is still a colonial mentality, still clinging to the past. 1942 On April 25th, the British ambassador to Washington replied in a memorandum to the State Council that the United States immediately gave up its extraterritorial jurisdiction over China after consulting with Britain, saying that what it was doing at present was "only regarded as the result of weakness", so it advocated that this matter should be started after peace was restored in the Far East. Aiden, then British Foreign Secretary, also talked about similar ideas to Vinante, the US ambassador to Britain, saying that this was "a misunderstanding of China" and "now is not the right time". Obviously, Britain's consideration is mainly out of the concept of face, maintaining the so-called decency of the British Empire.

During the negotiation, China wanted to take back Kowloon and fight for it. However, the British government refused to return the leased land in Kowloon on the pretext that it was outside the scope of the New Testament negotiations. For Hong Kong, it is even more reluctant to pay back. The British side is stubborn and even threatens to break down even if the negotiations break down. On June165438+1October 1 1 Sunday, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill expressed a tough attitude in his speech at London City Hall, claiming that he would protect anyone belonging to Britain. He didn't become prime minister to dissolve the British Empire. If this happens, please find someone else to handle it. He will never give up any territory of the British Empire. In the end, China failed to recover Hong Kong and Kowloon through negotiations.

1943 1 month, China, the United States and China and Britain respectively concluded new equality covenants, abolishing the extraterritorial jurisdiction and related privileges in China. Legally speaking, China and its allies are equal partners. However, neither the Casablanca meeting in May of 5438+ 10 nor the Washington meeting in May invited the top leaders of China to attend.

In a speech delivered in March 1943, Churchill claimed that he believed that the course of the war should be to defeat Germany first, and then make a final effort to defeat Japan, and said that it was not necessary to "save" China by confronting Germany with all his forces. When talking about the post-war order, he said that Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union should discuss the establishment of a world organization, excluding China. The Chongqing government is extremely disgusted with Churchill's exclusion of China from the list of victorious countries and China's use of the word "saving the country", which is regarded as "intentional contempt" for China.

Song Ziwen's first reaction to this was that he could not tolerate the British "typical imperialists and realists" despising China's views. When China and Britain negotiated a new equal covenant, Song Ziwen was quite dissatisfied with Britain's position on the Hong Kong issue. At this time, British Foreign Secretary Eden invited Song Meiling to visit Britain. Song Ziwen thought, "If he were in Mrs. Jiang's position, he wouldn't go. Churchill's speech made the visit even more inappropriate. It's like China slapping and laughing. It seems that we will be treated by an exiled government rescued by Britain. " But at the same time, Song Ziwen also expressed another view: "On the other hand, perhaps for this speech, Mrs. Jiang should go." He told: "He just wrote a long letter to Mrs. Jiang, explaining his views, but asked her to decide whether to visit." He asked Gu Weijun to "discuss the following invitation with Mrs. Jiang and explain the views put forward in his letter." "Anyway, she should make a decision in time and don't always ask Britain to wait."

After much consideration, Song Meiling finally declined the British invitation on the grounds of physical discomfort.

In May of the same year, Churchill visited Washington, bringing more than 100 important generals and officials, including the commander of the armed forces in India, on an unprecedented scale. Song Meiling immediately informed Chiang Kai-shek of the news.

Chiang Kai-shek advocated meeting Churchill and said to Song Meiling: "If Churchill can meet the British Prime Minister in Washington, it will be good for both public and private. This is the proper manner of our politicians, regardless of their personal attitudes in the past, not to mention their feelings, but we must also lose our honor and status. This matter may be approached by Halifax first, and then introduced by President Luo. If you attend the meeting with Brother Wen, please consult Brother Wen in advance and ask his representative to speak. I will try my best to help him. If there are any omissions in his words, my love will add explanations for him. "

At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek summoned the American agent in China in the name of the Kuomintang government in Chongqing and issued a statement: "When Prime Minister Churchill is in Washington, if there is a meeting related to China or the Pacific Ocean, please invite Mrs. Jiang and Minister Song to attend." Gu Weijun also thought it was a formal notice, and Roosevelt and Churchill would pay attention to it, and asked Song Meiling to get everything ready as soon as possible.

Following the instructions of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, Ambassador Gu Weijun began to actively arrange the meeting between Churchill and Song Meiling.

In fact, after hearing the news of Churchill's visit to the United States, Gu Weijun thought it was a good idea for them to meet, which would have a great impact on Sino-British relations. But he thinks the only question is whether Churchill intends to come to new york, which is more convenient for him to visit Song Meiling (except the White House, Song Meiling has been in new york during Churchill's visit to the United States). What if Churchill thinks coming to new york will take up too much of his time, but he is willing to talk to Song Meiling?

Kong Lingwei, who was traveling with Song Meiling, said: "Mrs. Jiang is a lady, and it is more appropriate for Churchill to visit."

On May 15, Gu Weijun found Harry Fox and said that Churchill and Song Meiling had an excellent opportunity to meet.

Although Churchill's schedule is very tight, he also hopes to hold talks with Song Meiling, which is not harmful to the cooperation between Britain and China and the situation in the Far East.

Therefore, Roosevelt arranged for Song Meiling to meet Churchill to ease the tension between the two countries. Roosevelt invited Song Meiling to a luncheon held at the White House on May 23rd. However, after receiving a telephone invitation from Mrs. Roosevelt, Song Meiling refused, on the grounds that she was "unfit to travel". Roosevelt naturally understood the mystery, which was just an excuse, but he didn't think it necessary to be too formal. Therefore, it is suggested to change it to May 26th, so that Song Meiling can "miss the doctor's injection appointment". Ignoring President Roosevelt's arrangement, he refused to go to Washington (when Song was in new york) to meet Churchill.

In this matter, Song Ziwen also advised his sister to put the overall situation first and arranged a meeting with Churchill for her sister, but Song Meiling refused. In this case, Gu Weijun and Song Ziwen think she should go to Washington. It is impolite to refuse an invitation when President Roosevelt intends to offer a solution under delicate circumstances.

However, Kong Lingwei still insisted: "As a woman, Churchill should pay a visit. Now that China's war against Japan is not going well, Mrs. Jiang should not be too accommodating, or they will climb on your head. Therefore, Mrs. Jiang must be more determined than ever and safeguard her dignity. "

Song Meiling refused the invitation again. On this matter, when she met Gu Weijun, she explained, "Churchill was arrogant and insisted that I go to Washington to meet him, but I refused. Because in international relations and personal relations, etiquette and dignity are very important and essential. In any case, I don't have the position of foreign minister politically, so I have the conditions to be firm. " As a result, Song Meiling didn't go to Washington because of "dignity", and Churchill was too busy to go to new york. The two sides didn't meet for the first time until they attended the Cairo meeting.

Mrs. Churchill was deeply worried about this matter. Twenty years later, The New York Times's diplomatic columnist Schazberg interviewed the Churchill couple and also mentioned the past:

(1943) One day, President Roosevelt said to Churchill, "I want you to meet Mrs. Jiang. She is a beautiful woman. " Roosevelt immediately called Mrs. Jiang and invited her to have lunch with Churchill at the White House the next day, but Song Meiling refused. She said that Churchill had to call Mrs. Jiang first, and she would agree, and finally she didn't finish her lunch.

Gu Weijun analyzed that Song Meiling refused to accept the invitation to visit Britain and was unwilling to go to Washington to meet Churchill, probably because "women are often subjective, and perhaps Mrs. Jiang is more emotional in this matter". He believes: "In any case, being invited to visit Britain and not meeting Churchill in the United States is improper." Gu Weijun is very sorry about this. He believes: "The invitation of the King of England to her for a state visit is definitely a gesture of expressing deep friendship. This is the honor of China and is rarely given to other countries. "

Song Meiling's method is very reasonable. As mentioned earlier, Britain's wartime performance in the Far East was really disappointing. It has always been an old colonial mentality and attitude, and even if it becomes an ally, it has not changed much. 1942 After the Chiang Kai-shek couple visited India in February, they were still very concerned about solving the Indian problem. Later, due to the failure of negotiations between the British and Indian governments and the Congress Party, the contradiction intensified. When Gandhi was ready to launch another "non-violent and non-cooperative movement", he was arrested together with Nehru and others. Chiang Kai-shek repeatedly called for cross-strait reconciliation. Gandhi's life is dying because of his hunger strike. 1943, 12 In February, Chiang Kai-shek called Song Meiling and asked her to "meet with President Roosevelt and try to persuade the British government to release Mr. Gandhi as soon as possible, so as to ensure the United Nations' belief in democracy and fighting for mankind". Song Meiling told Roosevelt in time. Roosevelt did call Phillips, the American representative in India, and told the Indian governor: "Under no circumstances can Mr. Gandhi die of hunger strike." But the Indian governor replied, "If he wants to die, there seems to be no way. "

Song Meiling continued to push for Nehru's release and issued a statement urging "the release of Nehru". To this end, the British government is very angry. American official Halifax asked China's Foreign Minister Song Ziwen to protest against China's interference in other countries' internal affairs. Song Ziwen tactfully replied, "This is not surprising, because Mrs. Jiang is a woman. When she speaks, feelings are more important than reason. Besides, this is her personal opinion, so Britain should not take it too seriously. I won't convey the protest, lest things become stiff. " In order to fight poison with poison, Song Ziwen protested another thing: when Song Meiling went to the United States, he passed through India, and the British and Indian authorities did not know about it. Later, the British and Indian governments wrote to the American government to protest against "smuggling" Song Meiling through India. Song Ziwen said: "It is unforgivable for a person of status like Mrs. Jiang to use such language. This is the rudeness and gaffe of the British government. " "Sir Mu Xue has been asked to take back the letter because he doesn't want to report to President Jiang and his wife, which makes the situation worse." Now, Song Ziwen also asked Halifax to "report this matter to His Majesty's Minister Aidan".

Since the signing of the New Testament between China and Britain, Chiang Kai-shek's attitude towards Britain has changed. He instructed relevant departments to establish good relations with Britain as much as possible. Therefore, Chiang Kai-shek hoped that Song Meiling could visit Britain at the invitation of Britain. After Song Meiling decided not to go to England, he hoped that Song Meiling could meet Churchill in the United States. However, judging from the consistent performance of Britain, it is impossible for Song Meiling to have the effect of visiting the United States. Meeting Churchill won't change his established policy. It is better to refuse than to visit without effect. The arrogance shown in front of Churchill is a counterattack against him. As one of the main anti-fascist forces, China should not be too weak. There is nothing wrong with looking at the problem from this angle.

However, Song Meiling refused to meet Churchill in Washington and refused to go to Britain, which made Britain lose face. Sir Cripps thinks this is "very unfortunate" ... I am afraid that even if Mrs. Jiang comes to England now, the king, queen and prime minister will not welcome her. "

1943 In July and August, when Song Ziwen visited London to repair Sino-British relations, British Foreign Secretary Aidan and Vice Foreign Minister Jia Degan did not meet him at the railway station. This gesture of belittling China may be a manifestation of revenge. The reaction of the British government proved that Song Meiling's initial decision was correct.