Now York Times, January 9, 194o.
ENVOY HOLDS
TALKS IN CHUNGKING
Peace Ramors Discounted—New
Appeals Made to U. S.
WirtlMi to TMI Ntw Yosx Tuns.
CHUNGKING, China, Tuesday,
Jan. 9-The British Ambuador, Str
Archibald CInrk-Kerr, has been
holding daily discussions with For-
eign Minister Wang Chung-hut
ilnce his arrival here last week.
The Foreign Office li non-com-
mittal as to the exact nature of the
discussions and the spokesman de-
clares that the talks have been
routine in character. The conversa-
tions are said not to have been con-
nected with major policy, which. It
Is stated, was settled between the
two nations some time ago. Sir
Archibald has also seen General-
issimo Chiang Kai-shek.
The usual crop of peace rumors
appeared coincident with the Am-
bassador's arrival. Such specula-
tion asserts that Britain would be
especially Interested now In pacify-
ing Japan and China and drawing
both into the British orbit against
the Soviet.
It is pointed out, however, that
Immediate Chinese policy is most
likely to be held in abeyance pend-
ing the outcome of the Japanese-
American trade manoeuvres, which,
it is hoped hoic, may strengthen
China. Chlnoxo diplomatic circles
arc looking forward to the arrival
here of United States Ambassador
Nelson T. Johnson. The simulta-
neous presence of the British. Amer-
ican and French Ambassadors will
afford an opportunity for a thor-|
ough joint sounding out of China's
relations to the democracies.
Meanwhile, Increasing attention is
b«ing paid to American relations
with Japan. The possibility of an
American trade embargo against
Japan is monopolizing popular and
official discussions. Organizations
Interested In relations with the
United States are dispatching daily
cables to Washington and New
York, expressing China's hope lor
American anti-Japanese action.
Typical is a message of the Chung-
king Harvard Club, newly formed
with T. V. Soong as its president,
which hopes that Congress "will
decide to suspend such trade with
the Japanese as might help to pro-
long her aggression against China."
"All means short of war, but
powerful enough to halt Japan's ag-
gression, should and can be utilized
by the United States at the present
moment," the messags save. "We
appeal to you to seek humanity and
civilization."
This message has been addressed
to Senator Key Pittman, chairman
of the Foreign Relations Commit-
tee, and to other membors of Con-
gress.