793.94119/596: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—7:30 a.m.]
558. Department’s 192, October 12, 5 p.m.77 Report referred to originated with French Embassy here which was told by a friend in the Chinese Military Council that it had been given for consideration a letter addressed directly to Generalissimo by Hitler. French Embassy believed letter referred to possible peace proposals. German Embassy denied flatly that any such letter had ever been sent; stated that Colonel Kriebel, former German Consul General at Shanghai, who had formerly been a military adviser to Chiang Kai Shek, upon being recently appointed Minister and therefore detached from service in China, had written a personal letter to the Generalissimo in which he expressed his regret at not being able to return to China and his appreciation for their long and pleasant [relations?]. This letter came not long ago with instructions that the German Embassy [Page 289] deliver it to Chiang. German Embassy stated that it had kept this visit quiet to avoid rumors and feared that this rumor was based on that visit and that it would be reprimanded by Berlin. This would appear to be the basis of the report.