Office of the Historian

793.94/7922: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, May 29, 1936—4 p.m.
[Received 8:10 p.m.]

267. 1. The present trend in Sino-Japanese relations is indicated by the following developments:

(a)
Evidence accumulates that the civilians or so-called Kirin group of Sung Che Yuan’s regime (reference paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of Embassy’s 259, May 25, noon) intend to force Sung to break completely with the National Government. Noncompliance would supposedly result in departure of Sung and his army from northern Hopei. Compliance might possibly result in creation of disturbances by Sung’s military subordinates.
(b)
The Japanese authorities in North China apparently have no intention of rendering that assistance which is necessary for checking smuggling by Japanese nationals.
(c)
The press reported May 28, that the National Government had “rejected” the Japanese reply to its representations with regard to the increase of Japanese forces in North China (Nanking’s 145, May 18, 3 p.m.99) and had instructed the Chinese Ambassador in Tokyo to make further representations. The report states that the Chinese deny the Japanese allegations of “instability in North China,” an [Page 175] assertion which can and may be met by the instigation by the Japanese of fresh disturbances in Hopei. Rumors of possible fresh “autonomous” movements continue to circulate in Tientsin.
(d)
There are indications that oppressive measures by Japanese against so-called anti-Japanese-Chinese in Peiping are being renewed.
(e)
Students of Tientsin and Peiping are again becoming restless. 2,000 students demonstrated yesterday in Tientsin and later decided at a mass meeting to strike for 3 days. The immediate cause of the activity is said to be the increase of Japanese forces in North China and a secondary cause commemoration of the Shanghai May 30 incident. One student leader stated in private conversation that one purpose is to render support to Sung in his present differences with Hsiao Chen Ying. Students in Peiping are to meet tonight to decide whether to strike for 3 days.

By mail to Tokyo.

Johnson
  1. Not printed.↩