793.94/6838: Telegram
The Counselor of Legation in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 26—8:30 a.m.]
14. A report from apparently reliable unofficial source states that on January 23 the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed a meeting of the Central Political Council that he had received a telegram direct [Page 21] from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs announcing the desire of the latter to visit Nanking; also the Japanese Minister to China in a recent interview proposed an offensive and defensive alliance between China and Japan. The meeting decided to study both matters. I am endeavoring to confirm this report.
2. Report that an alliance had been proposed as stated was first given me by the French Minister on January 5 who received it in Shanghai. Our subsequent investigations led us to regard it as unreliable but this independent confirmation lends some credibility. I will continue attempts at verification.