793.94/5896: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 18—4:36 a.m.]
160. Following from American Consul at Nanking:
“February 17, 11 a.m. I have been reliably informed that on the evening of February 16 some Japanese official called at the Foreign Office and inquired whether it was true that China intended to withdraw the Chinese Minister to Japan. Vice Minister Hsu Mo replied that this would depend upon the actions of Japan. (I asked Lo same question last night and he gave me the same answer.) Vice Minister is reported to have asked the Japanese official whether Japan was going to invade Jehol to which the reply was that this appeared to be the orders from Tokyo. Asked whether Japanese would take action inside the Wall the Japanese official replied this would depend on needs of military strategy.”