793.94/7094: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
305. The recent lull in developments in Sino-Japanese relations in North China continues. Reasons for the lull may be one or more of several: (1) Representations from Tokyo to the Kwantung Army and Tientsin garrison with regard to the apprehension aroused in foreign countries through widespread publicity; (2) some hitch in the military’s plan such as the failure of the rebellion in the Southwest to materialize at the time of the recent Japanese démarche in Hopei; (3) intention to settle the Chahar situation to Japanese advantage before pushing their plans in other northern provinces; or (4) awaiting developments at Nanking. Whatever the reasons, however, it is not believed that the military have abandoned their objectives although their activities may have been slowed down, deferred, or deflected. At present it would seem that the Japanese expect to see in Hopei (and North China) a regime of officials who, appointed by the National Government, will be more amenable to the dictation of the Japanese military than previous officials and who will pave the way for another step in the direction of rendering it impossible for China to become a menace to Japan.
Doihara arrived at Peiping today. There is reason to believe that his primary purpose is to allay apprehension with regard to future [Page 271] developments in Hopei and to assist in the settlement of the Chahar situation.
Doihara informed Japanese press representatives after his arrival that if the attitude and guiding principles of the National Government are improved then no more incidents will occur. However, Matsui is reported to have stated yesterday that “the removal from office of Chinese leaders whose opposition to the Japanese was well established and the transfer of troops from one part of the country to another was not a lasting solution of the problem”.
General Sung left Peiping yesterday for Tientsin. Japanese military officers insist that the Chahar question and the North China situation are separate matters. A Rengo report from Hsinking of June 20 states that Sung’s 4,500 men in Chahar are showing indications of a mutiny and that “Japanese troops garrisoning Jehol Province are closely watching the attitude of General Sung’s troops in order to take action in case they invade ‘Manchukuo’ territory”. Takahashi has said that Sung’s departure from Chahar does not affect settlement of the situation because his troops are still there.
An indication of what appears to be Japanese efforts to allay apprehension is the report that the two Japanese destroyers at Tientsin will sail on June 22 for Port Arthur.
- Telegram in two sections.↩