The following is a translation of a Top Secret encrypted telegram dated 5 September 1941 from Chongqing on the perceived progress of American-Japanese negotiations and concerns and frustrations on behalf of Japan and China. The source of the information was redacted during the declassification process, as was the pseudonym of the Soviet agent who filed the cable itself.
TOP SECRET
CIPHER TELEGRAM No. 6073
From CHONGQING
Received 5 September 1941 at 20:45 Deciphered 5 September 1941 at 22:55
TO VIKTOR
█████████████████████ negotiations between the US and Japan in Washington are generally proceeding based on three fundamental issues:
1. The US grants Japan the right to make use of the economic resources on the islands of the southern seas on a regular basis.
2. The US recognizes Japan’s special interests in China. Japan recognizes the Nine-Power Treaty with its “Open Door” policy in China.
3. Japan will withdraw its troops from China and the US will act as the intermediary in negotiations between Japan and the government presidium.
█████████████████ today Guo Taiqi (the foreign minister) at a meeting of the standing committee of the NPS [National Political Council] stated that China is displeased with the Roosevelt-Churchill declaration since it mentioned nothing about the Far East problem.
2. The American-Japanese negotiations will be unproductive, since Japan will not agree to US demands on the China question.
Break: We believe it is not the Roosevelt and Churchill declaration that has dissatisfied China, but the course of the discussions in Washington and the position taken by the US at these discussions. A number of Chinese from political circles are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Americans, and are concerned that the US may reach an agreement with Japan at China’s expense.
Translation © 2025 by Michael Estes and TranslatingHistory.org
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