793.94/6901: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 9—9:16 a.m.]
111. Following telegram has been received from Canton.
“March 7, noon. Am authoritatively informed that Doihara in separate conversations referred to in my telegram of March 5, 4 p.m., unmistakably indicated that while diplomatic party in Japan had reached final oral agreement with Nanking and while Japanese Navy party tacitly approved agreement it cannot be finally concluded without the approval of military party which is represented by Doihara and will withhold judgment until assured of Chiang Kai-shek’s sincerity toward Japanese military as well as diplomatic party, and, second, the toleration if not approval of the agreement by the Southwest and other non-Nanking political groups. Kwangtung leaders inclined to discredit Japanese military leaders [and] may attempt to reach ‘compromise agreement’ with other Chinese leaders thus nullifying Japanese party’s coup at Nanking. Doihara however is reported to have brought no proposal to Southwest leaders whose separate declarations as to their attitude accord with Hu Han-min’s declaration. Doihara now visiting Kwangsi leaders.”