793.94/7352: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:46 p.m.]
70. The second informant, mentioned in my telegram No. 68, November 9, 10 a.m.,28 who meets frequently with the Japanese military, states that Shang Chen will shortly be replaced by Sung Cheyuan as Chairman of Hopei; that Sung’s troops which are still in Chahar will move to Hopei, leaving Chahar a vacuum; that Sung will have Japanese financial and military advisers; that the result of all this will be practically to sever Hopei (and Chahar and Suiyuan as well) from the National Government and to place these provinces under virtual Japanese control; that the Japanese wish also to extend a similar control over Shantung but are finding it more difficult; and that also the creation of a single regime to include all five northern provinces is proving to be very difficult.
This informant views the present situation in Sino-Japanese relations as highly critical and is apprehensive that the Chinese authorities may refuse to accede to the next demands of the Japanese military. (Responsible Chinese are now saying that China must refuse to accept any further humiliating demands, as China has given in as long as it can, and that if the Japanese then, as a result, use force, the Chinese will have to resist. Although this viewpoint is gaining adherents rapidly, it is still difficult to believe that serious resistance will take place.)
By mail to Tokyo.