Office of the Historian

793.94/6302: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, May 22, 1933—2 p.m.
[Received May 22—5:56 a.m.]

469. Your 175, May 20, 5 p.m.

1.
Chinese retirement along entire front continues. They now occupy a line running roughly from about halfway between Peiping and Miyun and through Tungchow and generally along river to Tientsin. Japanese appear to be following Chinese as they retire. No fighting reported. Last night Japanese cavalry reported about 4 miles from Tungchow. Missionaries at Tungchow believe that Chinese are not preparing to make a stand at Tungchow. Retirement of Chinese is orderly.
2.
It seems at the present moment entirely possible that Japanese will continue forward movement until they have occupied or encircled Peiping. I have been unable to obtain any accurate information as to understandings either arrived at or in process of arrangement between Chinese and Japanese. Japanese are reported to have demanded that all Chinese troops evacuate south of Peiping and Tientsin. I am informed by private sources here that Ho Ying-chin intimated yesterday to the local heads of educational institutions that they should allow their students to go elsewhere as arrangement which he had made with Japanese was not being adhered to by them because of attack on Japanese sentry on Saturday49 and Japanese would come in.
3.
It is impossible to forecast events in Peiping should Japanese occupy city but if retirement continues as at present Japanese occupation should be orderly and without danger. Neither my colleagues nor I have considered situation in Peiping dangerous. I know of no reason why American Legation Guard should become involved unless it would be for the purpose of cooperating with other guards for the maintenance of the neutrality of the Legation Quarter.

Repeated to Tokyo.

Johnson
  1. May 20.↩