793.94/5797: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 25—3:26 a.m.]
85. My 80, January 24, 11 a.m. Nanking reports Young Marshal remaining Nanking temporarily. Local situation remains obscure. I find it difficult to understand motives inspiring statements to newspaper correspondents regarding direct negotiations as I have seen nothing in present situation which would lead me to believe that it has changed sufficiently to enable Nanking Government to enter into direct negotiations in the face of public feeling in the South.
Mukden reports under date of January 23, 4 p.m.:
“From that source groups of two or three hundred Japanese soldiers are arriving in South Manchuria according to reliable information almost every day. From the same source it has been [Page 128] learned that part of the Sixth Division has been concentrated at Chengchiatun ostensibly for an antibandit drive and that new conscripts for all units in Manchuria, amounting in some cases to half the strength of the units, are expected to arrive in Manchuria about February 1st.”
I have asked Mukden to confirm reports here of evidence in Manchuria of relinquishment of Japan’s intention to invade Jehol.
Tientsin’s January 23, 3 p.m.,52 indicates continued Chinese troop movements.
It is of course possible that Japan may have been angling for direct negotiations through Tuan Chi-jui offering Jehol as a bait. I am persuaded however that public opinion is still at such a pitch that it would be dangerous for Chinese leaders to admit defeat and accept Japanese terms. Censors have prevented any displaying of these reports here but have passed telegrams to the United States and Europe where I understand they have been much played up.
- Not printed.↩