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The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28—7:40 a.m.]
388. Reuter from Nanking today.
“Wang Ching-wei has issued lengthy statement in which he refuted criticism that the Government’s policy towards Japan was a policy neither of peace nor war. Wang admits that China is in no position to wage war on Japan and adds that it is because of this that Government has decided on policy of resistance which he defines as ‘fighting the invader to the best of our ability but regardless of our military strength or the consequences’. This he says distinguishes resistance from war.
Regarding a policy of peace Wang declares that China cannot acknowledge military defeat and accept terms dictated by Japan but that while at present there is no possibility of direct negotiations eventually there must be negotiations. He declares that whatever form future negotiations may assume China will not concede beyond the minimum in consonance with her national honor but this minimum he leaves otherwise indefinite.”