740.0011 Pacific War/3062: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 12—7:25 a.m.]
58. Chinese press in comment on Nanking puppet régime’s declaration of war against United States and Great Britain terms it “a farcical performance.” National Herald, “Foreign Office paper,” views declaration as step of no benefit to Nanking régime taken by order of Japan; states puppets have no qualifications for declaration of war either from international or internal standpoint; believes Japan orders declaration because of weakening Japanese position in Pacific and consequent need for new development to report to Japanese people; and concludes with the statement that Nanking puppets are traitors who will be brought to book after war.