793.94/10907: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—10:35 a.m.]
869. 1. I asked Kung, Minister of Finance, this morning concerning the impressions gained by him during his European tour regarding the attitude of Germany and Italy toward the Sino-Japanese conflict. He said that he felt that the Governments of both countries were well [Page 650] disposed toward China even though aligned with Japan on the nominal ground that Japan is fighting to stem communism. He said that Germany’s refusal to enter the Brussels Conference did not indicate lack of sympathy with China and would in reality Assist China because Germany if present would be obliged to side with Japan. I inferred that he had received some explanation of this sort from German sources. In regard to Italy’s openly expressed sympathy with Japan he remarked that he had had a very cordial reception in Rome; that Mussolini [could not?] condemn Japan’s policy toward China without seeming to condemn Italy’s conduct in Ethiopia and that in any event Mussolini being a dictator could change his policy at any time. He recalled that Mussolini had placed Italian air force officers in active service at the disposal of the Chinese Government and he seemed convinced that China need fear nothing from Italy.
2. Kung asked that when convenient I convey to the President and Secretary of State his deep appreciation of the friendly counsel and hospitality he had received in Washington and he expressed the belief that American statesmen understood the necessity of curbing Japan if the peace of the Pacific area were to be preserved and if the United States and other nations in addition to China were to retain liberty to determine such domestic questions as import tariffs and immigration without being threatened by Japan.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Peiping, Tokyo.