793.94/7105: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 23—7:27 a.m.]
307. Japanese newspaper at Tientsin published June 22 a telegram from Nanking dated June 21, containing alleged statement by Wang Ching-wei to Japanese newspapermen. This statement has not appeared in local Chinese or English language press. According to this [Page 273] report, Wang stated that China’s great compromise over the Manchurian and Hopei questions will bring harmonious results; that although China is militarily weak and could have no hope of winning a Sino-Japanese war, Chinese in such an event could long resist, Japan would be exhausted, and neither country would profit; that good policy can bring about friendship and cooperation; that the uniting of China’s raw materials and Japan’s technique is the foundation of Far Eastern economy; that a spirit of harmony and friendship is an objective which will not be altered; that the Hopei situation does not affect Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations although recurrence of such a situation must be carefully avoided; and that Chiang Kai-shek’s allegedly doubtful attitude toward Japan was not the cause of the Hopei affair, as Chiang’s attitude has been the same as his own. Wang also stated that all Japanese loans to the Minister of Communications and a part of those to the Minister of Railways have already been adjusted and that furthermore, other old loans are in the process of being adjusted. With regard to the question of Sino-Japanese air lines, Wang said that at a Chinese conference in February of this year, it had been decided that, until the facilities for China’s internal air lines were perfected, negotiations with regard to international air lines should be given up.
If this report is accurate this interview would seem to be intended to meet the surface change evident during the past few days in the attitude of the Japanese military as suggested in the Legation’s telegram No. 305, June 21, 5 p.m.
By mail to Nanking and Tokyo.