793.94/6299: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 21—6:03 a.m.]
465. Legation’s 457, May 20, 9 a.m.48 Central Executive Committee of Kuomintang in Nanking yesterday replied to Southwest leaders denying alleged terms of an Armistice and asking them to cease attacking Central Government:
“You have unreasonably given a credulous ear to rumors and circulated false Sino-Japanese terms to confuse public opinion both in China and abroad. Furthermore you have formally communicated your statement to foreign countries thereby displaying our weakness. Your action is as greatly deplored by us as it is welcome to our enemy.”
Reply then urges Southwest leaders to bear in mind present national difficulties and to help carry out Government’s plan by sending troops against Communists so as to enable Nanking deal with Japanese invasion.