Office of the Historian

793.94/7464: Telegram

The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, December 2, 1935—5 p.m.
[Received December 2—10:39 a.m.]

226. Referring to Peiping’s No. 189, November 30, 4 p.m., and previous in regard to Japanese troop movements in North China.

[Page 463]
1.
The Military Attaché of the Embassy was today informed as follows by the liaison officer of the War Office.
(a)
No troops of the Kwantung Army have been sent into North China. There has been no movement of large bodies of troops requiring a number of trains in North China. It is not anticipated that the necessity will arise for the employment of Japanese troops in North China as the Nanking Government will not oppose the independence movement in North China by sending troops into Hopei.
(b)
Resident Japanese Army officers in Nanking report that the Nanking Government’s proposals in regard to the three principles of Japan’s new China policy to be presented to Ariyoshi within a few days are satisfactory though not perfect. Ariyoshi’s forthcoming visit to Nanking is to be for the purpose of receiving these proposals and is not directly concerned with the North China situation.
(c)
The visit of General Ho Ying-chin and other important Nanking Government officials to Peiping has been postponed and will not be made until after General Sung announces the semi-independence of Hopei and Chahar. It is expected that this will be announced within 1 or 2 days. Shantung Province will probably join the independence movement at some later date.
(d)
The Japanese Government suggested the postponement of General Ho’s visit. The whole situation in North China is not as tense as indicated by the press which has been misinformed by ignorant correspondents. Total or complete independence is not involved in the independence movement but instead a semi-independent relationship to the Nanking Government is contemplated. This will be successful in view of the Nanking Government’s attitude toward Japan’s three principles.
2.
The Military Attaché gained the impression during the conversation that some sort of agreement has been reached between the Japanese and the Nanking Government in regard to the independence movement in North China. No definite statement to that effect was elicited but the satisfaction expressed over the Nanking Government’s proposals and the postponement of the visit of General Ho until after semi-independence has been announced point to an understanding of some sort.

Repeated to Peiping.

Neville