793.94/5940: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28—9:15 a.m.]
50. I am reliably informed that the present Japanese military operations in Jehol consist simply of a wide turning movement with the pivot at Shanhaikwan and designed to sweep the Chinese troops south and west out of Jehol, without requiring or contemplating military action south of the Wall. I further learn from a reliable Japanese source in close touch with the military authorities that while explicit instructions have been issued to the army in Jehol not to cross the Great Wall, the war office here is apprehensive lest the more hotheaded officers force the issue by carrying the offensive into the Peiping-Tientsin region, especially if Chang Hsueh-liang should send bombing planes into Jehol from Peiping. According to this source General Araki does not feel certain of being able to control the situation and will shortly send General Mazaki, vice chief of staff, to Jehol with a view to restraining the troops from violating the foregoing instructions.
At the same time the Asahi this morning contains a statement purporting to come from the war office to the effect that the Japanese military authorities will take self-defense measures in North China should the lives and property of Japanese residents in the Peiping-Tientsin region be threatened by disorders arising from the expected defeat of the Chinese forces in Jehol and the possible overthrow of the present administration in Peiping.
The Embassy is of the opinion that the Japanese high military authorities genuinely wish at present to avoid carrying the Japanese operations south of the Wall and will not do so unless such operations are forced upon them by disorderly elements among either the Japanese or Chinese forces or both.
Repeated to Peiping.