793.94/7072: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
292. The attitude of the Kwantung Army with regard to Sung Cheh-yuan in Chahar is becoming more menacing. Japanese press reports from Hsinking claim that two new incidents have occurred, namely, that soldiers of Sung fired on June 11 and again on June 12 at “Manchukuo” officials “in Jehol Province”. According to these reports, these incidents are regarded as a breaking of the Tatan truce reached February 2, 1935 between Chahar and Japanese military (Legation’s telegram No. 64 of February 6, 4 p.m.92). Under the terms [Page 264] of this truce, according to the Japanese version, it has been agreed that the Chinese Army should not invade territory of “Manchukuo” and that if it did the Kwantung Army would take any measures necessary the result of which would be the responsibility of the Chinese. A Reuter report of June 17 from Tokyo states that the staffs of the Kwantung Army at Hsinking have decided that Sung’s troops will hereafter be treated as bandits while a Hsinking press report published here this morning states that the Kwantung Army wishes to have Sung’s troops withdraw entirely from Chahar Province. Consul General at Mukden reports June 17, 5 p.m., that the Manshu Nippo published a telephone message from Hsinking reporting that a military conference had formulated instructions June 16 to be released to Doihara to deal “positively” with alleged impasse in negotiations over the Chahar incident of June 5. Furthermore, it is reliably reported the Japanese brigade at Shanhaikwan (referred to in Legation’s 275, June 14, 4 p.m.) has returned to North of the Great Wall, destination unknown, but possibly Jehol.
Local Japanese assistant military attaché treats the Chahar situation less alarmingly in a statement today saying that if Sung shows “sincerity” matters will be satisfactorily arranged. From his remarks it would appear that the demilitarization of that part of Chahar contiguous to Jehol is intended.
In case of being pressed too hard it is regarded as a possibility that Sung might attempt to put up some sort of fight against the Japanese for there is no suitable place for his troops to go outside of Chahar especially because his former affiliations with Fang Yu-hsiang93 now have put him on unfriendly terms with leaders of neighboring provinces (and with Chiang Kai-shek).
Reports of unusual developments elsewhere in North China are lacking. The Japanese Embassy states that Japanese troops in Peiping whose replacements recently arrived will leave for Japan June 19, and it is understood that similar troops in Tientsin were leaving this morning for Japan.
It may be that the Kwantung Army will now concentrate its efforts on obtaining its objectives with respect to Chahar, postponing at least for the present further activities in Hopei. This is perhaps indicated not only by the reported withdrawal of troops from Peiping and Tientsin but by a Japanese press report of June 17 from Tokyo which states, (1) that the Japanese military at Tokyo disclaim having connection with the question of the political administration of North China, wishing only to see the fulfillment of recent demands, and (2) that the Tokyo military have telegraphically ordered the Japanese military in North China “to control rumors which create doubt [Page 265] of the real intention of the Japanese military”. Japanese press reports from Hsinking convey the same idea.