793.94/6504
The Counselor of Legation in China (Peck) to the Minister in China (Johnson)27
Sir: In the course of a conversation with Dr. Sun Fo, President of the Legislative Yuan, on September 21, I mentioned the current reports that the policy of the National Government towards Japan was to be altered somewhat. I invited his comments.
Dr. Sun Fo assured me that in its fundamentals the policy towards Japan would be unchanged. In minor matters, however, the policy of the Government would be to give Japan no excuse for further encroachments and “no cause for complaint”.
The rather unexpected phraseology used by Dr. Sun Fo justifies the inference that the Government is now not averse to talking with the Japanese Government in regard to matters in which contact is unavoidable. This information has been conveyed by public statements by President Wang Ching-wei of the Executive Yuan. It was also conveyed to me by Mr. Tang Yu-jen, Administrative Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a conversation I held with him on the morning of September 21, which I shall report in a separate despatch.28
[Page 405]It seems to be the general opinion in Nanking that Mr. Wang Ching-wei is sponsor for this deviation from the previous policy of complete abstention from negotiations with Japan on any subject, and that Mr. T. V. Soong, Finance Minister, supports adherence to the previous policy. Those who contend that this controversy exists, point to the departure of Dr. Lo Wen-kan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on a mission to the North-west, and the appointment of Mr. Tang Yu-jen, a supporter of Mr. Wang Ching-wei, as one of the Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs, as evidence of the truth of the theory. They allege, also, that Mr. Tang, although the Administrative Vice Minister, has, on his own initiative, taken over largely the duties of Dr. Hsu Mo, Political Vice Minister, who is held to be a follower of Mr. T. V. Soong and Dr. Lo Wen-kan in regard to policy matters. It is reported that Dr. Hsu Mo would like to withdraw from the present uncongenial atmosphere of the Foreign Office, following, in this respect, the example of his erstwhile colleague, Mr. Liu Chung-chieh, lately Administrative Vice Minister.
Respectfully yours,