893.01 Manchuria/372: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5—6:28 a.m.]
205. The Japanese War Office spokesman yesterday gave a statement to the vernacular newspapers describing in detail the alleged organization created by Chang Hsueh-liang for the molestation of Manchukuo and the steps taken by him for the defense of Jehol. The spokesman states that the arrangements made by Chang are similar to those made last autumn to threaten the South Manchuria Railway and that if Chang and his party repeat their plots there will be serious results. The statement closes with the threat that if Chang carries out his plans he will be “digging his own grave.”
As the headquarters of Chang are in Peiping, this threat might be construed to indicate an intention to move on Peiping if such step were found necessary in order to destroy Chang’s authority.
Repeated to Peiping.