793.94/5807
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Legation20
A telegram from Peiping reported that the Japanese attacked Shihmen Fort on January 15 but were repulsed by the Chinese and [Page 100] had to retreat toward Loo-Tze-Shu. The Chinese were garrisoning at Ying-Wu-Shan (the Parrot Mountain).
A telegram from Chengteh (Jehol City) reported that on January 14 eight Japanese aeroplanes arrived at Shah-Wa, carrying with them over forty bombs and causing many casualties. Again, on January 15, a Japanese aeroplane, carrying four bombs, reconnoitered over Shah-Wa. The Chinese command had ordered the troops under General Feng Chan-hai, now stationed at Shah-Wa, to be prepared for a Japanese attack on Suidoo and Fuhsin.
A telegram from Tientsin reported that the Japanese Army had despatched Colonel Umezu to Tientsin to confer with General Naka-mura on military matters. It was also reported that a group of Japanese good-for-nothings and spies had arrived at the Japanese Concession at Tientsin and were holding secret meetings in various hotels.
A telegram from Shanghai reported that, according to reliable information, the Japanese Chief-of-Staff and the War Department, after a conference, had decided to postpone their attack on Jehol to the early part of March. This postponement was due to the bitterly cold weather and the mountainous terrace [terrain?] of Jehol. It was also learned that the Japanese expected disturbances to occur in the Peiping-Tientsin area simultaneous with their occupation of Shanhaikwan on January 1. Quite unexpectedly, no disturbance occurred in these cities and they were still planning an uprising in Tientsin.
- Translation of telegram transmitted to the Department by the Chinese Legation on January 18.↩