793.94/6195: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 19—10:45 a.m.]
Developments last few days tend to confirm growing belief that combination has been formed between Manchukuo forces and rebel groups from the regulars in Changli-Chinwangtao area and that these have been responsible, with energetic assistance Japanese air forces, for driving Government forces to west bank Lwan River. There are increasing signs that this new “anti-Chiang Kai-shek army” or “pro-Manchukuo army” is preparing extend its operations to territory west of Lwan River in which case change of Government this area may be expected. It is significant that general in command of so-called Fifth National Salvation Army which is now in occupation Changli and some other towns east of Lwan River is Li Chi-chun who is alleged to have taken a prominent part in bringing about disturbances in Tientsin November 1931 and who is believed to have either conceived or aided in the execution of the plan to spirit Pu Yi to Manchuria at that time.
Japanese airplanes flew over Peitaiho, Lwanchow and Tangshan yesterday and dropped propaganda leaflets in profusion extolling the virtues of the Japanese pointing to peaceful conditions in Jehol, et cetera.