793.94/7912: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20—3:20 p.m.]
252. 1. Embassy’s 241, May 14, 2 p.m. According to the most reliable information obtainable from foreign military observers, there are now 2258 Japanese troops at Tientsin, of which 1200 are new arrivals; 738 at Shanhaikwan, of which 500 are new arrivals; 400 at Tungchow, of which 200 are new arrivals; and 700 at Peiping of which 300 are new; that is, there are now 4,096 at these 4 places, of which 2200 are new arrivals. More troops are expected to arrive by the end of May. The retiring commander of the North China Garrison informed his foreign military colleagues on May 13 in writing that the increase in strength would be “about more than double in number.” The actual number is apparently still a military secret.
2. Embassy’s 217, April 30, 4 p.m. Colonel Mutaguchi who arrived recently and announced that he had succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Hasegawa as Commandant of the Japanese Embassy Guard has now been succeeded by Major General Masakazu Kawabe, who arrived at Peiping, May 16. Kawabe is in command of an infantry brigade which is part of the North China Garrison and one regiment of this brigade forms the Embassy Guard. Mutaguchi continues in command of that regiment. It is not known what the rest of the brigade consists [Page 162] of nor where it is to be. Kawabe states that he will reside in Peiping, where quarters have been rented for him.
By mail to Tokyo.