would bear responsibility to the world for breaking off the negotiations, and in view of the emphatic action of Japan in this regard hesitated to transmit further Chinese statements, to Japan. Proof (a) Document I269A, (Exhibit No. ): "Telegram (Secret Cipher Process) "Tokyo11 January 19381:40 p.m. Arrived11 January 19389*50 No. 14 out of 11.1TOP SECRET Urgenti "Secret. For the Minister of the Reich in person. I have a reliable report, that today's Privy Council is said to have decided upon the following action in case the Japanese conditions are refused: "Declaration of war, denial of the Nanking Government and substitution of the provisional government of Peking, the continuance of military operations. To support this operation, new supply-shipments are now going to the front. "Duplicate sent to Hankow. /s/ Dirksen" (b) Document 1273, Item 5, (Exhibit No. ): "Telegram (Secret Cipher Process) "Tokyo, 16 January 193814.54 hours "Arrived, 16 January 193812.30 hours