793.94/3757: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
20. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“January 30, 5 p.m. My January 29th, 7 p.m.90
- 1.
- From a Chinese military source, alleged entirely reliable, this [Page 122] office has received the following confidential information: The military airplanes lately sent away from Nanking have now been assembled at an airfield about 30 miles from Nanking and are prepared for immediate use. The 19th Route Army which has been fighting the Japanese at Shanghai is demanding that planes be sent to their assistance and they were withheld on January 29 only because departure of planes from Nanking might give Japanese pretext for attacking Nanking, endangering the Government. Moreover, the Chinese wish to restrict fighting to Shanghai area.
- 2.
- It is persistently reported that the 19th Army at Shanghai openly stated that it will continue fighting the Japanese despite any orders to desist. Chiang Kai-shek in a personal capacity has issued a circular telegram to all officers and soldiers bitterly criticising the Japanese for committing atrocities at Shanghai after the Chinese had accepted humiliating demands. Telegram states that no more can be endured and that the nation and the race face annihilation. Chiang praises the 19th Army for loyalty and valor and urges officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army to arm themselves and await [opportunity?] to preserve the party and nation.
Repeated to the Department.”
3. Since coding above I have called on T. V. Soong at his request. Replying to questions he informed me that Chiang’s circular telegram was despatched with the full concurrence of Wang Ching-wei and all prominent leaders throughout the country with possible exception of Canton group. Soong declared unequivocally that China henceforth would resist further Japanese encroachment with every ounce of military strength. Under pledge of secrecy until publicly announced he informed me that practically the entire Government will very shortly remove to a spot less accessible to Japanese attack than Nanking. However, Nanking if attacked will be defended to the last. He authorized me to inform British Chargé d’Affaires under similar pledge. I referred to efforts of the League and inquired whether new policy of resistance to Japan would disincline China to accept offered mediation and he replied that China would still welcome it. He said he deeply realized the cost to China in money and suffering of past and future resistance to Japan but nevertheless the discipline would awaken the people. It was already remarkable how insistently the commercial classes in Shanghai, potentially the greatest sufferers, demanded that the Government resist Japan to the last extremity. He said the knowledge that China had abandoned the policy of subserviency to Japan for one of vigorous self-defense, even though hopeless, had made the leaders and Army almost jubilant.
Repeated to the Legation.