793.94/16328: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—9:26 a.m.]
1183. There is current in Tokyo a rumor, which in spite of considerable effort remains unconfirmed, that the Japanese Government [Page 443] decided at the last Imperial Conference (Embassy’s telegram 1159, November 16, 3 p.m.) to offer Chiang Kai-shek, not directly but through Wang Ching-wei, an opportunity to cooperate with the Japanese and to [the] Nanking regime in the formation of a new government of China. It is said that Chiang has been given until the end of November to make his decision. Should he decline to accept the Japanese peace proposals and decide to continue resistance, the Japanese have reportedly warned him that full recognition will be extended to Wang Ching-wei and that Japan and the new Chinese Government will continue to attack Chiang Kai-shek until his “regime” is destroyed.
The persistence of this rumor, coupled with the fact there have appeared recently in various vernacular newspapers editorials and articles urging not only the support of Wang Ching-wei but also broadly hinting that cooperation between Chiang Kai-shek and Japan would be welcomed, should that cooperation conform to Japan’s desires for its “new order in Asia”, would seem to give further indication that the Japanese may have approached, probably through Wang Ching-wei, the Chinese National Government officials.
Sent to the Department via Shanghai, Shanghai please repeat to Chungking, Peiping.