893.0146/157
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) of a Conversation With Major Hayes A. Kroner of the Military Intelligence Division, War Department
Referring to telegram No. 372 of June 27, 11 a.m., from Peiping,5 stating that a press despatch from Washington reported that the number of American forces on duty at Tientsin was to be reduced effective September 1,—
Mr. Hamilton had telephoned Major Kroner the substance of the Peiping telegram under reference. After looking into the matter in the War Department, Major Kroner called and stated that reduction of 208 in American troops at Tientsin begins September 1 and will be spread over a period of from six to eight months and that this reduction is a purely administrative matter of the War Department whereby [Page 1016] the Fifteenth Infantry will furnish 208 enlisted men as a contribution toward the fifth increment of the United States Army Air Corps increase.
Major Kroner stated that M. I. D. had not been consulted with reference to the War Department releasing to the press notice of the contemplated reduction in the Army forces at Tientsin. He expressed regret that the information had been given to the press. His attention was called to this Department’s letter of May 20 to the War Department wherein the Secretary of State informed the Secretary of War that “if the War Department feels it imperatively necessary, I perceive no objection to a gradual and inconspicuous reduction in the number of men in the force at Tientsin.”7
(Note: Mr. Hornbeck also talked with General Moseley8 on this subject.)
- Not printed.↩
- This subject was reported to the Minister in China in Department’s telegram No. 212, June 29, 1981, 5 p.m., with the added instruction that the Minister might make use at his discretion of parts of the information in discussion with his colleagues.↩
- Maj. Gen. George Van Horn Moseley, Deputy Chief of Staff, War Department.↩