793.94119/584: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September
19, 1939—2 p.m.
[Received September 19—1:50 p.m.]
[Received September 19—1:50 p.m.]
498. Peiping’s 478, September 11, 2 p.m.
- 1.
- Kita left for Japan by air a few days ago where he went, according to an American who is in position to know his movements and his plans, for the purpose, among other things, of informing the Japanese Government that the Chinese Government is prepared, as a result of recent preliminary inquiries at Chungking, to enter into peace discussions on the basis of a complete withdrawal of all Japanese troops south of the Great Wall as an essential requirement to the maintenance of the territorial integrity of China; that once this withdrawal has taken place the Chinese Government will be willing to entertain cooperation between the two countries for the economic development of China, together with other forms of cooperation, on terms of perfect equality free from any military intimidation or force, Manchuria to be left completely out of any discussions. On being asked whether this proposal (which did not seem to be altogether new) originated in Peiping or Chungking, my informant replied that it originated in Peiping and that Chiang Kai Shek had sanctioned it, which sanction presumably was obtained when informant was in Chungking recently. I made no comment in connection with the matter. It appears that certain diminutive officials of the Provisional Government profess to believe that relatively liberal elements [Page 255] are in the ascendency in Japan notwithstanding the recent appointment of General[s] Nishio and Itagaki.
- 2.
- Kita will proceed from Tokyo to Nanking to attend the joint conference of representatives of the Japanese sponsored governments in Ghina which is to be held at Nanking on September 20. Wang Keh Min has already gone to Nanking. Informant stated that Wang Keh Min will endeavor to prevent the establishment of an amalgamated central government but that Kita will merely endeavor to postpone the organization of such a government. It appears that Wang Keh Min, not wishing his relations with the Central Government to be impaired, does not wish a new government headed by Wang Ching Wei to come into being whereas Kita while favoring an amalgamated government believes it would be well to postpone this action since he believes that there is a probability of the Japanese Government coming to terms with Chiang Kai Shek in the next few months on the basis above described.
- 3.
- The extensive movements of Japanese troops out of North China which has been taking place during the past week (see Peiping’s 497, September 18, 7 p.m.41) continues to be a puzzle.
Repeated code text to Tokyo by air mail.
Lockhart
- Not printed.↩