893.00/13239: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 26—6:47 a.m.]
Informed Chinese in official circles here corroborate press report of capture on October 22nd of hsien city of Hsiangho 30 miles south-cast of Peiping by armed mob of over 1,000 farmers who retain city. Same sources alleged that uprising was instigated by Haopen and leader of Tientsin plain-clothes uprising in 1931, and Pai Chien-wu, leader of abortive effort to seize Peiping in June, both of whom informants indicated are acting in Japanese interests. Japanese have refused to permit despatch of Chinese troops since Hsiangho is on Tangku Truce. It is reported that uprisings are spreading to five neighboring hsien and that handbills urging farmers to form autonomous governments have been distributed in other hsien. Chinese sources allege uprisings arranged by Japanese military to prove their contention that Province is being bled to support Nanking and that people desire autonomy.
- 2.
- On October 23, representative of Kwantung Army protested to Mayor of Tientsin against the continued activity of the Kuomintang and of members of Blue Shirt Society. Conference of local Chinese held yesterday morning referred matter to Nanking.
- 3.
- Local Chinese authorities yesterday ordered that until 27th, pedestrians on street after dark be searched for arms. Local Chinese official states similar searches have been going on in Peiping for 3 days.
- 4.
- An official of Municipal Government states that Chinese here expect any tightening of European situations to be promptly followed by Japanese action to separate Hupei from China and that farm revolts and protests from Japanese military are in anticipation of the opportunity for such action. Copy mailed to Peiping.