793.94/6427
The Counselor of Legation in China (Peck) to the Minister in China (Johnson)70
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a Kuo Min news release dated Shanghai, June 5,71 reporting observations made by Dr. Sun Fo, President of the Legislative Yuan, regarding the “truce” concluded on May 29 [31], 1933, between the Japanese and Chinese military authorities.
The observations of Dr. Sun Fo seemed to me so interesting that I submitted the report to him, with a request that he inform me whether it was sufficiently accurate to form the basis of a despatch to the Legation. He has returned it to me with the statement that, after making a few minor revisions, the report is substantially correct. He cordially authorized me to make use of it in any way I liked. His changes have been incorporated in the enclosed copy.
Significant statements made by Dr. Sun Fo include the following:
- (1)
- The truce agreement was signed in order to avert the fall of Peiping and Tientsin and the establishment of another puppet government in North China.
- (2)
- The initiative leading to a truce was taken by the Japanese, at 11 p.m. on May 22.
- (3)
- The truce was concluded by the Chinese under a threat from the Japanese to resume the attack on Peiping on the morning of May 23.
- (4)
- The plot was well under way for the creation of an independent state in North China to be called the “Military Government of the Republic of China” and another compelling reason for the cessation of hostilities was the necessity of averting what might be the loss of the whole of North China.
- (5)
- General Feng Yu-hsiang’s assumption of command of the so-called “people’s Anti-Japanese Allied Forces” placed the National Government in a quandry, since the Government could neither exercise control over General Feng nor assign troops to him for the defense of Chahar; on the other hand, if the Government ignored Feng, this might result in the loss of the provinces of Chahar and Suiyuan to the Japanese.
Very respectfully yours,