893.01 Manchuria/1076: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 18—10:30 a.m.]
180. Following telegram has been received from Peck at Nanking:
“April 18, 9 a.m. Wang Ching-wei arranged confidential interview last night with four intimate friends and me to inform me that the Japanese are forcing the Chinese Government to a decision in regard to reopening through railway traffic with ‘Manchukuo’. The Japanese are not demanding formal recognition of ‘Manchukuo’ but on the contrary they consent to any device suggested by China to divest through traffic of significance in that connection such as by separate railway managements, operation of through traffic by a third party, et cetera. Wang asked whether I would personally advise the Chinese Government to yield or to give point-blank refusal thereby incurring risk of reopening hostilities with Japan since Japan would probably run through trains under military guards. I replied that I had not the slightest idea what course would appeal to the Department as being the more advisable but that from conversations with various persons I thought there would be few foreign critics if China compromised with Japan since apparently China was faced with force majeure and no third party showed disposition to intervene forcibly on behalf China. Wang said obviously Japan was insisting on through traffic as first step leading to de facto recognition of Manchukuo and surrender by China would appear to be betrayal of the moral support given by the League and various nations. One person present observed that surrender to Japan would imperil the Government’s position internally but Wang replied ostentatiously that this could be disregarded and the international aspect was the only one to be considered. There followed discussion whether through traffic would constitute de facto recognition but no conclusion was reached except that difference between de facto and de jure recognition was slight. There was evident apprehension that some powers are awaiting any excuse afforded by China to extend de facto recognition to ‘Manchukuo’. Apparent [Page 114] motive behind the interview was the hope that I would inform Department by telegraph of the difficult decision which is being forced by Japan on China and of the extreme unwillingness of the Chinese Government to take any step savoring of recognition of ‘Manchukuo’.”
Above telegram appears to indicate that Wang Ching-wei is anxious to have our support in making his decision in this difficult matter. Legation is of the opinion that Peck should be instructed to say that the American Government is not prepared to advise as to what decision China should make in the matter.
Following additional telegram has been received from Peck.
“April 18, 2 p.m. Unofficial report is current that the Government has decided to leave question of through traffic with Manchuria for local settlement, probably on the basis of the operation of the traffic by some foreign firm having financial investments in the Peiping-Mukden Railway thus disassociating the Chinese Government from the project.”