Page 48

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
(2) When the seige of Shanghai resulted in extended major military and naval operations without bringing to an end the regime of CHIANG KAI-SHEK, as shown in a previous phase of the case, Japan, on 5 November 1937* made certain peace proposals to CHIANG KAI-SHEK, On 26 December 1937 new condi¬tions of peace were proposed by Japan as the result of changed conditions, and the Chinese Government requested fuller infor¬mation regarding the nature and content of the newly submitted conditions. In early January 1938 the Japanese Government for a second time altered its proposal. The exchange of these proposals was effected through Germany, acting in the role of "letter carrier." German officials were advised to refrain from expressing official or personal interpretation of the Japanese proposal of settlement, and Germany by separate negotiations endeavored to lead Japan into altering her policy with respect to military aggression in China* Proof (a)Q.)Document 1271A, (Exhibit No. ): "Telegram (Secret Cipher Process) "Hankow, 13 January 1938 1.40 hours Arrival, 13 January 1938 2.00 hours /numbers illegible/ _T0P SECRET J No. 22 of 13 January Urgent1 "Today the Chinese Foreign Minister read to me the following text of an oral declaration, which he asked to transmit to the Japanese Government. /Text follows in English./ "•On November 5> 1937* certain peace terms proposed by Japan were to us at Nanking made arrangements kindness of your Excellency. Subsequently on November 28th and November 29th and also December 2nd your Excellency again communicated to Chinese authorities at Hankow and Nanking the intentions of the Japanese Government and informed us that Japanese authorities had stated in spite of the best military success gained by Japan the