Page 69

Parent Collaboration Between Japan, Germany and Italy - Volume II
Date 25 November 1941
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 15
Folder Japan, Germany, Italy Collaboration Vol 2
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
"We will have to draw the conclusion from this, that in-our China policy we must at least put the accent more strongly economically and politically on North China; we will have to regard our China problems more from Peking than from Shanghai, Hankow or Chunking* "This by no means necessitates offending the Chinese government forever* Outwardly important change would have to take place* Naturally the allotment of the official representatives of the Heich would remain the same; it would be wrong, too, if German firms should give up their establishment in Shanghai* The fact, beneficial to us, that besides consular representation in North China, a diplomatic office exists in Peking and that furthermore German firms have operated in North China before anyway gives us enough strong points for our new orientation* "The most urgent requisite for this shaping of our interests in North China seems to me to be the e stablishing of a close connection with the Japanese military and civil authorities. It will not be difficult to achieve this by building up the office in Peking and by appointing to it an elderly official experienced in service in Japan. "The economic shifting of our interests to North China will be already undertaken to a certain degree by the private initiative of our China firms. It will be the task of jfche organs of the state to promote this development. Abovfe all, however it seems urgent that the possibilities of an economic opening up of North China, or otherwise our cooperation with the Japanese authorities in this be examined by prominent individuals^ German experts or by a small delegation specially set up for this purpose.