793.94/7765
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: The Chinese Ambassador asked me last evening to arrange for an appointment for him with you.
The Ambassador said that he had had instruction from his Government, and that the Chinese Ambassadors at London and at Moscow have similar instructions, to state that the Chinese Government has reason to believe that in the near future the Japanese will renew and augment their pressure upon the Chinese Government for an early diplomatic settlement of certain questions; that the Japanese are insisting [Page 53] upon a negotiation on the basis of the Hirota three-point program (see memorandum attached78); that the Chinese Government cannot make that program a basis of negotiation; and that the Chinese Government wishes to inquire what, in the event of augmented Japanese pressure upon China, will be the attitude of the American Government.
I have said to the Chinese Ambassador that this is a pretty broad question, and he has admitted to me that it is a “hypothetical question.” I have asked him what he might be prepared to reply in case you were to ask him what will be the attitude and action of the Chinese Government. He replied that he was not in position to say, but that he must present to you his Government’s case.
May I suggest that an appointment be made for you to receive the Ambassador on Friday.79