893.01/755: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16—3:40 p.m.]
246. 1. General Abe, appointed Ambassador to negotiate a treaty with the Wang Ching Wei regime, as a basis for de jure recognition by the Japanese Government, left Tokyo this morning for Kobe where he takes a Government transport for Shanghai on April 18. He is accompanied by a staff of 25 persons, including Counselor of Embassy Hidaka, former Ambassador to Italy Hotta, and former Director General of the Planning Board Aoki. The party is due to arrive at Nanking on April 23.
2. Although the negotiation with the Wang regime looking toward “a basic adjustment of Sino-Japanese relations” is widely emphasized, the fact is of course that General Abe is going to Nanking to negotiate primarily with the Japanese military high command in China.
3. Hidaka, who I believe is basically friendly to the United States, called on me a few days ago to say good-bye, and I took advantage of his visit to set forth at length the position of the American Government and people with regard to American rights and interests in China. I asked Hidaka to repeat to General Abe my statement, which was clear and definite although of an informal character.
Peiping please repeat to Chungking, Shanghai and Nanking.