893.102S/2428: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
Chungking
, March 18,
1941—11 a.m.
[Received 2:06 p.m.]
[Received 2:06 p.m.]
105. My 79, February 28, 1 p.m., government of International Settlement.
- 1.
- I have received a letter dated March 17 from the Chinese Counselor of the British Embassy stating that pursuant to instructions from the British Ambassador (now in Shanghai) he called on Chiang Kai-shek83 on March 15 and submitted an outline of the “developments which are taking place” in relation to the Shanghai Municipal Council; that the purpose of the approach was that the Chinese Government might not gain the impression that the British were intriguing with the Japanese; that he had told General Chiang that it was essential that the Japanese should not obtain a predominant position in the government of the International Settlement and that he hoped that if this could be achieved the support and good will of the Chinese Government would be forthcoming; that Chiang was non-committal and approved the Counselor’s suggestion that the latter should discuss the matter with the Chinese Foreign Minister.84
- 2.
- I am not informed whether the British are still negotiating on a basis of the proposals contained in Shanghai’s 186, February 13, 4 p.m.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Peiping, Shanghai.
Johnson