793.94/3272: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—11:05 a.m.]
1114. Following from Military Attaché at Chinchow:
“With British and French Military Attachés had interview with General Honjo, his headquarters, Mukden, December 20th. He explained in general the military situation and laid great emphasis on [Page 698] the increasing seriousness of activities of irregular troops and bandits who he states are supplied and encouraged by the Young Marshal through Chinchow. He states plans are being prepared to clean up bandit situation. He would not indicate when he intended to attack Chinchow but hoped the Government and troops in that vicinity would withdraw inside the Wall, that so long as the Government remains in Chinchow this fact would encourage Chinese elements to defy Japanese authorities and continue to be a menace to peace and safety of Japanese life and property in Manchuria, therefore it is necessary that the Chinchow area be cleared. It was impossible to obtain definite information of Japanese movement but one gets the impression that some decisive action will be taken to clear up the present critical situation. Japanese bridgehead west of Liangyueh River secured by garrison at Chuliuho and Hsinmin, strength 300 strongly intrenched. Area between Hsinmin and Tahushan, no man’s land, controlled by irregular troops and bandits. No evidence of unusual activities of Chinese regular troops. There is undoubted increased activity of bandits.
Repeat to War Department.”
Repeated to Nanking.