893.01/703: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31—6:37 a.m.]
159. I have received a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs99 dated March 30, accompanied by a translation, informing me that the Japanese militarists have caused to be established at Nanking an organization purporting to be the “National Government of the Republic of China.” The memo reiterates that the Chinese Government will never attach validity to any act of this or any other puppet organization and the Government is convinced that no “self-respecting state” will accord de jure or de facto recognition to Japan’s puppet organization in China. The note announced that whatever Japan may attempt to do in China the Chinese Government and people are determined to continue resistance until Japanese troops have been completely driven out of Chinese territory. Copy of text being forwarded by air mail.1
Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai and Nanking.