793.94 Conference/213: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State77a
[Received November 9—9:15 a.m.]
901. My 883, November 3, 1 p.m.78 The same sources have now given me the proposals drawn up in a form which they consider suitable for presentation to the Brussels Conference. They expressed the hope that presentation might be by the American delegation but I believe that the proposals have served their best purpose in being submitted for the study of the Chinese Government and I shall not telegraph full text unless the Department so instructs. Informants state that since October 30 the Chinese Government has telegraphed to its delegation instructions somewhat resembling their program. After studying proposals Donald79 wrote to informants expressing his personal opinion that they might be acceptable to China as maximum concession to Japan but that China could not discuss any peace terms until Japan had been given further demonstration that Japan [Page 170] cannot threaten, insult and invade China with impunity and Donald added that China is by no means defeated, and to avoid giving wrong impression informants should take extreme care to make it clear to any person who might see them that the proposals are not known to or advanced by the Chinese Government. In view of the close association of Donald with General Chiang and his wife his views are of considerable significance.
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Tokyo.