Office of the Historian

793.94/7321: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, October 25, 1935—noon.
[Received 7:30 p.m.]

37. The following news release, bearing date line Shanghai, October 24, has been circulated by Reuter’s Nanking Agency under heading “For your information only” which generally means that the Agency is prepared to deny responsibility for the truth of the report if circumstances require.

“The following is the latest version of alleged Japanese demands to China which are reported to have already been presented:

1.
Discontinuance of negotiations with Sir Frederick Leith-Ross.
2.
Financial independence for the Provinces of Hopei, Shantung, Shansi, Chahar and Suiyuan.
3.
China’s resignation from the League of Nations.
4.
Recognition of “Manchukuo.”
5.
Cooperation between Japan, China, and “Manchukuo” in the creation of a Far Eastern political and economic bloc.
6.
Demilitarization of the Maritime Provinces of Kwangtung, Fukien, Chekiang, Kiangsu, and Shantung.
7.
Establishment of through railway service between “Manchukuo” and the Yangtze Valley with the management of all Chinese railways in North China coordinated under the South Manchuria Railway.
8.
Discontinuance of anti-Japanese activities throughout China.
9.
Abolition of the office of Generalissimo with all military power centered in the Minister of War under General Ho Ying-chin.
10.
Dismissal of General Chang Hsueh-liang and the withdrawal of his troops from the Northwest.
11.
Full Sino-Japanese cooperation in the suppression of communism in China.
12.
Japanese observers are to have the right of attending the Kuomintang Congress to see whether China is acting in good faith; and,
13.
Complete abandonment of China’s dependence on American or European support in politics, economics and government.”

Repeated to Peiping and mailed to the Ambassador at Shanghai.

Peck