793.94/5810: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 26—5:09 a.m.]
94. [1.] My 85, January 25, noon. Y. D. Shen, director of publicity for the Young Marshal, informed the United Press correspondent last night that Tuan Chi-jui was given peace proposals by responsible Japanese presumably military at Tientsin before he left for Nanking and that Tuan asked Chiang Kai-shek whether he would receive the proposals. Chiang invited Tuan to go to Nanking. Chang Hsueh-liang joined Chiang and Tuan at Nanking and as a result of discussion there it was decided,
- (a)
- That China must await results of deliberations of the League Committee of Nineteen before attempting to find some other solution.
- (b)
- China will not withdraw from League as China cannot expect more than League has [done] and is doing and China would lose rather than gain by such a move.
- (c)
- Some third nation may act as go-between to inaugurate negotiations and then there would be no hampering of legalities nor control by covenants and treaties.
- (d)
- Perhaps if some third power were to come forward to act as a go-between China would accept the bid.
2. Publicity bureau of Nanking Foreign Office telegraphed Peiping United Press correspondent denial that direct peace negotiations were under consideration.
3. It is my opinion that an effort will be made to direct attention to the United States as the possible third party upon whom the Chinese Government can fasten the responsibility of inaugurating direct conversations for it is admitted that no Chinese authority dare entertain such a proposal on his own responsibility in the face of popular reaction to admission of diplomatic and military failure and there has been a tendency here and abroad to think of the United States as the natural heir of the League’s failure. I am inclined to the opinion, however, that Soviet Russia may be the power that they have ultimately in mind as the Soviets are not bound by the Covenant of the League, are not committed to any announced policy and are [Page 135] in an excellent position to play the part of go-between as they have much to gain by reaching profitable arrangements with both sides.