740.0011 P.W./2–2845: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Atcheson)
340. Associated Press article86 from Luzon, appearing in most papers this morning, quotes W. H. Donald87 as saying in an interview that Chiang Kai-shek indignantly turned down at least 12 Japanese peace offers from 1938 to 1940. Donald is quoted as saying: “I am convinced the Generalissimo is genuinely fighting a sincere and determined war against Japan. He refused even to consider any peace offer although the Japanese proposed favorable terms which he could have accepted if he was primarily interested in political power. The Japanese sent 12 peace feelers through neutral ambassadors and prominent individuals. The terms—Chinese recognition of Japan’s conquest of Manchuria, granting certain economic and exploitation rights in North China, and political adjustment of Inner Mongolia to prevent any extension of Russian influence there from Outer Mongolia.” The Japanese made no territorial demands in these offers, AP reports Donald as saying. Donald is also reported as saying that Chiang’s attitude was typified by his comment in refusing one offer—“there will be no peace while a single Japanese soldier remains on Chinese soil.”