711.93/455: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—5:25 a.m.]
577. My 568, November 9, 5 p.m.74 Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Hsu Mo called on me on the evening of the 19th at the request of the Generalissimo and stated that Generalissimo hopes to know reaction of the United States to his proposals, that he hopes that some kind of an arrangement might be reached by the end of the present month. (Department’s 192, November 18, noon,75 received and decoded while this message was being enciphered. I shall take an early opportunity to communicate Department’s reply to Chiang.)
Generalissimo directed the Vice Minister to communicate to me the following for your information. Von Ribbentrop76 called the Chinese Ambassador at Berlin in to see him and in the presence of Stahmer, German representative understood to have been instrumental in negotiating tripartite pact with Japan, told the Chinese Ambassador that since the visit of Molotov, the German Government felt that it would be to the interest of China to bring to an end the conflict with Japan. He dwelt upon the European situation, saying that he felt certain that Germany had won hegemony in Europe and was certain that the European war would be terminated by end of year at the latest as [victory for the?] Axis when Germany would unite Europe. When this was accomplished, China could no longer expect assistance from Great Britain or the United States. He expressed the opinion that this was China’s last opportunity to come to terms with Japan; otherwise Japan would recognize the Wang Ching Wei regime. He said that Italy was already [prepared to?] recognize the [Page 437] Wang Ching Wei regime and that Germany being a member of the Axis would also recognize that regime. He expressed the hope that China would make terms with Japan and also that China would join the Axis, saying that Germany would guarantee fulfillment by Japan of peace terms and that Japan would not go beyond terms agreed upon between the two countries.
Generalissimo wondered whether I had received any information regarding the Hitler–Molotov conversations and said that in anticipation of the above report from Berlin he wished to pass it on to you for your information.
The Vice Minister stated that the Chinese Government had made no reply to this German suggestion to Berlin nor had it yet considered what reply it should make.
Sent to the Department only.