793.94/12630: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 11—8 a.m.]
378. My 365, March 5, 2 [5?] p.m.85 Fairly heavy fighting is reported in the immediate vicinity of Linyi, southeastern Shantung. Little activity on the Tsining or southern Tsinpu fronts. Military observers estimate Japanese reenforcements totaling approximately 70,000 men with considerable quantities of heavy artillery have been landed at Woosung during the past 2 weeks. Over 50 percent of these reenforcements are believed to be destined for the southern Tsinpu front, the balance being distributed between Wuhu, Hangchow and along lines of communication.
[Page 119]Mr. M. Tani, Japanese Minister at Large who recently arrived in Shanghai, informed Japanese press representatives that he had been placed in charge of all Japanese diplomatic organs in Central and North China and would commute frequently between Shanghai and Peiping. He is also reported to have stated that Japanese intend to respect fully foreign rights and interests in China and with reference to Anglo-Japanese relations that “there can be no friction between Japan and Britain unless Japan infringes British trade interests and vested rights in the Orient. This has especially been made true by the replacement of Eden diplomacy by Chamberlain diplomacy or in other words the replacement of idealism by realism. Japan must pay careful attention to this point so as not to violate Britain’s rights and interests”.
General Chou Feng Chi, formerly acting Provincial Chairman of Chekiang, was assassinated here on March 7th. His assassination is reported to have been connected with overtures made to him by the Japanese to become Minister of War in the Central China Government which the Japanese are seeking to establish.
Repeated to Hankow and Peiping.
- Not printed.↩