793.94/6166: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 11—6:37 a.m.]
75. My 67, March 25, 2 p.m. The limited objective attack referred to has been approved. According to statement of Japanese General Staff to Military Attaché the attack was launched April 10 by Japanese line from Kupeikow to Shanhaikwan in order to dislodge Chinese from commanding positions immediately south of Great Wall, and there establish Japanese outpost line of resistance to cover main line of resistance along Wall. No advance in force into North China contemplated.
The situation on the Manchuria-Soviet border occasioned by dispute over Chinese Eastern Railway rolling stock appears to be somewhat [Page 274] tense but the Japanese General Staff state that they do not expect it to develop into a serious armed clash. Not repeated to Peiping as above information considered confidential by Japanese military authorities.