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The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Legation33
Marshal Chang Hsiao-Liang sent a telegram to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 7, the gist of which is as follows:
The treachery which attended the occurrences at Shanhaikwan shows clearly that the Japanese were executing a preconceived and well perfected plan of military aggression and territorial aggrandizement in China. The occurrences, therefore, cannot be regarded as a local affair and have no possibility of being locally settled.
The Japanese, while carrying out their plan of military aggression, also tried to spread the rumor that they were willing to negotiate peace. The fact is that they have not been able to concentrate their reinforcements at the front and that they intended to slow up the Chinese preparation for defense. Moreover, the Japanese have repeatedly attempted to stir up ill feeling among the Chinese and at the same time tried to blindfold the eyes of the world. In reality, the rumor now being spread by the Japanese with regard to their intention to negotiate peace with China has no foundation in fact.
Now that we have discovered their treacherous schemes, we feel confident that we will not fall into their trap. We are laying out our defense according to our original plans and will resist any further aggression by the Japanese.
- Translation of telegram transmitted to the Department by the Chinese Legation on January 9.↩