793.94/8191: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dickover) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 29—10 a.m.]
198. 1. The tone of today’s reactions to the China situation has been dominated by Arita’s press conference of yesterday which apparently marks the beginning of a more determined effort at solution by the Foreign Office of pending questions with China. His statement is notable for its firmness and comprehensiveness in enumerating outstanding issues and for his refusal to define or limit the scope of the negotiations desired with China.
2. So far there have been no editorial comments in the vernacular press or reports of further developments here in the situation except that the Prime Minister has postponed his departure for the maneuvers and that it has been suggested that he may now not go at all.
3. Yomiuri today ascribes Japan’s insistence upon Chiang Kai Shek’s presence at Nanking to the conviction that further negotiation with the Foreign Minister would be futile in view of the unsatisfactory temporizing reply alleged to have been received by the Japanese Ambassador on September 23 to four demands previously presented. [Page 319] These demands were identically enumerated as those mentioned in paragraph 1 of the Embassy’s 190, September 22, 3 p.m.
Repeated to Peiping.