CO129-567-5 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 11-4-1938 - 19-1-1939 — Page 152

Enclosure in Canton P/L despatch No. 116 of 30th June, 1938.

CONFIDENTIAL.

Notes on a conversation with

His Excellency General Wu Te-chen on

June 29th. 1938.

153

I had called in connection with the contemplated visit

of His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong to Canton.

Later, in the course of conversation, H.E. asked whether

it was true that H. M. Ambassador was going to Hankow in connection

with 'peace feelers'. He referred to the recent statement made by

H.M. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, according to press

reports. I replied that I had no information as to the object of

H.M.A's visit, but that I did not quite see what common grounds

China and Japan could find to make peace. General Wu said that

he felt confident that one or the other of the powers would inter-

vene on China' behalf some time soon. By intervention he did not

mean a military intervention. It would probably take the form of

He remarked

financial assistance or supply of arms and munitions.

that, never had public opinion in England been more favourable to

China; and this meant genuine feeling. The English people were

slow to work up, but when worked up, meant what they said. (N.B.

I did not mention the gloomy dictum which I had seen prohounced

in a lecture at Chathamn House by Professor Toynbee that "England

wanted peace at any price or at least almost any price".)

2.

I said that as H.M.A. was taking his financial adviser to

Hankow, probably financial questions were to be discussed.

It

seemed to be thought by the majority of informed opinion, Chinese,

and foreign of various nationalities, that the replacement of Dr.

H. H. Kung might assist Chinese finances. I understood, however,

that the Generalissimo was reluctant to put Mr. T.V. Soong in Dr.

Kung's place, and I have been unable to hear of any suggested

substitute of suitable drive and capabilities.

I had been told

that Chiang Kai-shek had frankly said that the more he was pressed,

the less likely he was to appoint T.V. Soong. General u remarked

/ that