740.0011 European War 1939/12029: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 13—1:30 p.m.]
820. For the Secretary and the Under Secretary.
1. My Polish colleague has informed me in strictest secrecy of a telegram received from Mr. Zaleski, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs in London, dated June 11, of which the following is a translation. Even while making full allowances for the Nazi capacity for intrigue, it is difficult to appraise this information at its face value, but I pass it on to the Department in view of its substantial source and in case it should fit in with other information known to our Government.
2. (Begin translation.) On May 23 Doctor Schacht93 informed the Chinese Government that in order to avoid, if possible, the intervention of the United States in the European war, Germany would be Prepared to abandon Japan and to effect a rapprochement with China. China has decided to reply with a refusal and to so inform President Roosevelt. Doctor Schacht foresaw that after German offensive in the direction of the Near East, Germany during the course of the summer will attack Soviet Russia. He did not hide the serious losses of Germany, the dissensions among the Nazis and the discouragement which is increasing among German population as a result of the prolongation of the war.
Doctor Schacht’s observations may well represent an effort on his part to endeavor to conciliate the British and American pacifists in return for collaboration for the destruction of communism.
[Page 976]The Soviet Minister in Stockholm is aware that Germany actually proposed to Russia to allow her a free hand in the Pacific which would lead to the assumption that this would entail the abandonment of Japan by Germany. The Soviet Government is reported to have refused to enter such a combination. (End translation.)
- Hjalmar Schacht, German Minister without Portfolio and former President of the Reichsbank.↩