793.94/8597: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Nanking, April 24, 1937—10
a.m.
[Received 11:45 a.m.]
[Received 11:45 a.m.]
179. Our 167, April 19, noon.
- 1.
- Domei, Shanghai, reports today that Kawagoe, now in that city pending departure for Japan April 28, stated in an interview yesterday: (1) through mutual concessions alone can China and Japan hope to adjust their relations and there can be no readjustment if one party seeks to realize its own program and that alone; (2) he had repeatedly told Wang Chung Hui that what China needs most is a clear realization of the factors involved in Japan’s national existence and growth; (3) Japan on her part must (a) fully understand China’s unification movement and the Central Government’s growing strength, (b) make a thorough study of the real nature of the National Government and the development of its various branches, (c) keep constantly in mind the nature of China’s national unification; otherwise there will be no hope of readjusting Sino-Japanese relations; (4) China is as much interested as Japan in readjusting mutual relations and there is no divergence in views between Nanking and Tokyo on the necessity of breaking down the current deadlock; (5) economic cooperation will naturally follow readjustment of relations.
- 2.
- He said he had noted China’s wishes for abolition of the East Hopei régime and suppression of smuggling and “intimated that the Chinese authorities appeared to be ready to make certain concessions” in regard to the import tariff.
- 3.
- He gave noncommittal comment on “rumors of China’s rapprochement with Russia and economic cooperation with Great [Page 77] Britain”. In regard to “reports of projected Anglo-Japanese cooperation in China” he said “he had not observed any leanings in that direction in British circles in Nanking”.
- 4.
- Sent to the Department, by mail to Peiping, Shanghai, Tokyo.
Johnson