893.01/642: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 21—7:11 p.m.]
46. This afternoon the Chief of the Foreign Press Bureau telephoned to the American corespondents to advise them of an important communiqué which had just been issued, at the same time emphasizing that it was in relation to “peace” in the Far East. The Italian text of the communiqué will not appear until tomorrow afternoon’s editions [Page 273] but the following is a rough translation furnished me this evening by our correspondents.
Ciano46 to Wang Ching Wei.
“According to information reaching me from Japan it is confirmed that you have agreed to constitute the new Chinese Government. I am sure that under the high guidance of Your Excellency, China at peace with the great neighboring Japanese Empire will know a new era of prosperity and progress. Mindful of our cordial relations and personal friendship I want to give you my heartiest felicitation and assure you that Facist Italy is ready to offer to your work of national reconstruction its comradely collaboration.”
Wang Ching Wei to Ciano:
“I have received Your Excellency’s telegram which deeply touched me. Like all judicious people in China and Japan I am convinced that the continuation of the Chinese-Japanese war can only bring misery to the two countries. Hence we desire peace and hope to put Sino-Japanese relations on a new basis and so to clear away all past errors between Japan and China.
I am firmly determined to follow this aim with all my determination and strength. While working towards this objective I have received Your Excellency’s telegram which profoundly moved and greatly encouraged me. In thanking Your Excellency for the offer of collaboration which I appreciate at its full value I renew the expression of my personal friendship and forward my whole-hearted wishes for the prosperity of your great Fascist Fatherland.”
- Count Galeazzo Ciano, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩