893.00/14421: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 28—12:35 p.m.]
450. I have been informed by an American in direct touch with the Chairman and other high officials of the Provisional Government that Kita and Wang Keh Min are working together more harmoniously than at any previous time and that the relations between Wang and the Chinese authorities are also of a harmonious character, the latter being more or less reconciled to Wang remaining in his present position because they believe he may be in a position to be useful through his contact with Kita in case a new situation should arise making peace discussions possible. It would seem to be significant that high ranking Japanese military officials continue by public statements to reflect the Japanese desire to bring the present hostilities to an end. There are multiplying signs that the Japanese Military already consider that major military operations have ended; that what lies ahead is chiefly the suppression of guerilla bands, the organization of regional governments, or an amalgamated central regime, under their control, and the consolidation of their economic hold on some if not all of the occupied areas. Well-informed with whom I have talked within the past few days have expressed the view that the conclusion of the Soviet-German pact will tend to promote the desire of the Japanese to bring the China “incident” to a close but they admit on the other hand that this will be counterbalanced by the Chinese stiffening their resistance in the belief that the Soviet Republic will have more freedom of action in the Far East. My Soviet colleague in a very guarded conversation has expressed to me his personal view that the new pact [Page 215] was a Russo-German move designed solely to preserve the peace of Europe. Whether it was concluded without regard to its direct and immediate effect on the Far Eastern situation gives room for speculation. Nevertheless it is certain to affect the situation in the Far East and it would not be surprising to see manifested a stronger desire than ever on the part of the Japanese to end hostilities especially if war in Europe is averted which should contribute something towards moderation in Tokyo.
Repeated to Chungking; code texts by air mail to Tokyo.