793.94119/426: Telegram
The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Salisbury) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, July 1, 1938—5
p.m.
[Received July 2—7 a.m.]
[Received July 2—7 a.m.]
407. Embassy’s 377, June 20, 1 p.m.,85 Wang Keh Min’s86 peace appeal.
- 1.
- Some kind of peace plans are now under consideration here, one being reportedly sponsored by Japanese in Peiping and possibly another by Wang Keh Min. The Japanese plan allegedly contemplates a division of China into five regimes: (a) the present Mongol border districts, (b) provisional government, (c) reformed government, (d) a national government regime, and (e) a southwest regime. No mention [Page 211] of the withdrawal of Japanese forces is made. Further details are lacking.
- 2.
- The motives apparently are not [sic] (a) a genuine desire on the part of some local Japanese as well as Chinese to see the end of hostilities, (b) a hope of creating disunity in the National Government, and (c) a maneuvering for personal power. A number of reports that Generals Kita and Terauchi may go, in which case Wang’s position would be weakened and political changes could be anticipated, indicate that the third motive may be important.
- 3.
- The proposal outlined above can scarcely be acceptable to the various elements composing the National Government although it may prohibit [presage?] the future course of events if hostilities and Japanese military successes continue.
- 4.
- The question of amalgamation of the Peiping and Nanking regimes seems to be indefinitely suspended. A new administrative plan is the proposed creation of a special military affairs organ to be in control of all such organs already existing in China.
Repeated to Embassies, Hankow, Nanking, Tokyo, Consulate General Shanghai.
Salisbury