793.94/7392: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 18—10:45 a.m.]
157. Embassy’s 148, November 15, 5 p.m.44 Apparently the leaders of North China have not yet come to an agreement among themselves or with the Japanese in respect to Japanese plans for a new regime in North China. It would appear that the Japanese military have found the Chinese leaders less tractable than they had anticipated. Meanwhile the Japanese forces at Shanhaikwan are said to be increasing in number slowly. According to some official sources it now appears that the plan contemplates that for the time being Sung will control only Chahar and Hopei, that Han will control Shantung and that the relations of these Chinese will be less close with Nanking and more close with the Japanese than heretofore. It would seem that this arrangement might make it easier for the Nanking Government to reconcile themselves to changed conditions in North China.
2. Yin Ju-keng, special administrator of the demilitarized zone, together with police commanders and magistrates of that area issued a joint circular telegram November 15 indorsing General Sung’s telegram requesting the termination of the period of political tutelage. It is presumed that the purpose of Yin’s telegram was to gain Japanese favor. According to a Chinese official Yin is working to have the demilitarized zone made into a special area perhaps a province completely divorced from Hopei, a course which might well please the Japanese.
Repeated to Nanking. By mail to Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩