 In his letter, he expressed his regret that the old acquaintances had been obliged to meet each other in hostility, appealed to Ding's patriotism by pointing out the retrogressive policy which Ding had been called upon to defend and which could only end in disaster, and then counseled him to prevent a certain defeat and unnecessary loss of life by capitulating.Ito further advised Ding to accept political asylum in Japan until the end of the war, and then return to his native land in order to aid China in setting her policy on a sound basis.When Ding read this message he was visibly moved, but wrote a letter in response stating, "I am thankful for the admiral's friendship, but I cannot forsake my duties to the state.