740.0011 Pacific War/3381: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:31 p.m.]
1457. Embassy’s 1435, August 12, 3 p.m. Some competent observers here are of the opinion that, in giving consideration to reports of Japanese peace feelers on proposals, we should not be unmindful that since before the outbreak of Sino-Jap hostilities there have been and will continue to be Government officials, who favor the making of some kind of compromise with Japan and that their attitude and activities cannot be completely disregarded at any important juncture, (1) because of the anti-western bias of the Generalissimo, Madame Chiang and a number of the reactionary leaders of the Government and (2) because of widespread suspicion in Chinese Government circles that Great Britain will not, after the crushing of Germany, devote her naval and other resources wholeheartedly to the defeat of Japan, thus making a compromise peace between the Anglo-American Allies and Japan probable (this suspicion extends also in some quarters to the intentions of the United States).
Incidentally Hsiung Shih-hui (Embassy’s despatch No. 1254, June 12) has again been mentioned to us, expressly in connection with the visit of Liu reported in the reference telegram, as a protagonist of peace with Japan.