793.94/7327: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—9:30 a.m.]
105. A warning issued in the name of General Tada, Commander of Japanese troops in North China, and the Japanese Consul General in Tientsin was communicated in writing to General Chang Chen, Chairman of the Hopei Provincial Government, General Sung Chehyuan, garrison commander of Tientsin and Peiping, and the Mayors of Tientsin and Peiping on yesterday. The warning emphatically reminds the Chinese authorities of promises made some time ago to eliminate all anti-Japanese and anti-”Manchukuo” organizations such as the Tangpu and Blue Shirt Societies from the Peiping and Tientsin districts. It is charged that investigations conducted by the Japanese reveal that such organizations still exist under different names and in disguised forms and that they are still continuing their activities. The communication also charges the Chinese authorities with lack of sincerity and a failure to take adequate steps for the elimination of these organizations from North China. It is further alleged that the Chinese authorities seem to be encouraging these activities and that “such a state of affairs is contrary to the various agreements made in connection with North China and may bring about more complicated and difficult situation”. The demand for prompt and vigorous measures for the elimination of all anti-Japanese and anti-”Manchukuo” organizations and the cessation of all their activities in North China is repeated.
The situation at Hsiangho referred to in the Embassy’s 98, October 28, 3 p.m. is reported to have been amicably settled but this awaits confirmation.
The North China garrison will carry out maneuvers between November 4 and 7 along the railway between Peiping and Tientsin with sham battles in the vicinity of Peiping and Tientsin. These apparently are the regular autumn maneuvers.
By mail to Tokyo and Shanghai.