893.00/13780: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 17—1:05 p.m.]
620. Embassy’s 601, December 10, 5 p.m. A current newspaper report, not yet confirmed, states that fighting “of a serious nature” began again on December 14 on the eastern Suiyuan front in the vicinity of Hsingho. An observer from the Military Attaché’s office and Victor Keen (China correspondent of the New York Herald Tribune), both of whom have just returned from the Suiyuan front, are nevertheless in agreement in stating that the situation there is quiet. Keen, who left Peiping almost immediately for the South, is quoted in the press today as stating that the morale of the Chinese troops is good, that considerable stores of meat were obtained by the Chinese with the capture of Pailingmiao (which he visited), and the damage done there “by Japanese bombing planes” has been exaggerated.
He confidentially stated to a foreign Military Attaché, and not for publication, that a surrendered staff [“irregular”?] officer of Wang Ying’s cavalry [forces?] in a personal interview stated as follows: Some 40 Japanese officers and [technicians] attached to the brigade were killed before its surrender to the Suiyuan [forces] on December 10 at Ulanhua (southwest of Tamiao; all but a few hundred of Wang Ying’s forces have now surrendered, but Li [Shou] Hsin with some 10, 000 Mongolian and Manchukuo “irregulars” is at Changpei; about one quarter of Teh Wang’s forces, which consisted of about 4000 Mongol cavalry, surrendered to the Chinese at Tamiao on December 11 (the actual date of capture); the casualties and captured and surrendered of the “irregulars” total to date about 7000; Pailingmiao is now garrisoned by between 2000 and 3000 Shansi and Suiyuan forces, supplemented by a Nanking anti-aircraft unit of about 100 men.
According to the same source, “‘irregulars’ military expedition was planned, officered and financed by Kwantung army. All military units received their pay direct from Kwantung army. Expedition was commanded by former colonel in Kwantung army who was killed at Tamiao”. Surrendered officer is also alleged to have stated that the Kwantung army donated 12 planes, 5 tanks, 3 trucks and about 100 lorries, ammunition and provisions.
The above information may be of doubtful value since it originated from a surrendered “irregular” officer and it is therefore submitted for what it may be worth. It seems improbable, even with the affair in Sian, that any effective attack can be launched on Suiyuan by the “irregulars” in the near future.
By mail to Tokyo.