793.94/8809: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 17—4:23 a.m.]
252. Following telegram has been received from the Consul General [at] Tientsin.30
“July 16, noon. Interviewed by foreign newspapermen yesterday, Japanese Ambassador stated that present situation was local affair between Chinese-Japanese military; did not directly concern him as he is accredited to the National Government, and settlement must be on military basis excluding political issues. Replying to question [he] stated that he had never contemplated possibility establishing autonomy of the Hopei-Chahar Political Council on basis similar to the existing East Hopei régime.
Sung Che Yuan reported to have held a conference yesterday with senior officers of the 29th Route Army and also received General Kazuki. This is the first time he has consented to meet Japanese commander and it is reported that they considered results of conversation held for some days in Tientsin between respective subordinates, including Chen Chueh Sheng, Chang Tsu Chung, General Hashimoto, Colonel Wachi”.
- John K. Caldwell.↩