ŵ
COPY.
FROM JAPAN.
47 244
Decypher.
Sir R.Craigie (Tokyo).
6th December, 1937.
D.
8.45 p.m.
6th December, 1937.
R.
2.15 p.m.
6th December, 1937.
No.772.
My telegram No.768.
Speculation continues as to the important decision
which it is generally believed Japanese Government will take
very shortly in anticipation of the fall of Nanking.
Alternatives appear to be:-
1. Non recognition of Chiang Kai-shek Government and
negotiations with newly formed autonomous provincial bodies
with a view to federation.
2. Setting up of puppet Central Government at Nanking.
In connection with either of the above alternatives it seems to
me likely that Japanese Government will now have to decide
whether the next step should be (a) landing in force at Canton
(b) further advance on Hankow.
One object of (a) and (b) above would be to intercept
There are persistent
munitions arriving from Hongkong.
reports as regards (a) which if substantiated would explain
the mystery of Admiral Toyoda's appointment.
Any action along the above lines would presumably
render declaration of war unnecessary.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.772 December
6th; repeated to Embassy Offices Shanghai (for Commander-in-
Chief as telegram No.203) and Hongkong.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.