793.94/8046: Telegram

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

353. Embassy’s 345, July 8, 2 p.m.56

1.
Wang Keh Min arrived at Peiping July 9. He was formerly associated with Anfu clique, was Acting Chairman of the Peiping [Page 238] Political Affairs Readjustment Committee in 1935 after Huang Fu’s57 departure, and was appointed a member of the Hopei-Chahar Political Council at the time of its inauguration, although he has never entered into his duties in this position. He is to be appointed an economic and financial expert.
2.
According to the Chinese press, he will be made Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Council in succession to Hsiao Chen Ying who still holds the post although he has been in retirement allegedly in the summer palace since early June.
3.
An officer of the Japanese Embassy stated in conversation this morning that the National Government has been opposed to Wang’s coming to Peiping but that General Sung and Major General Matsumuro have been urging him to come; that it is anticipated that Wang may become the head of civil affairs in Hopei with Sung in charge only of military affairs; that the attitude of Sung’s military subordinates with regard to this possibility is not yet clear; that it is hoped Wang’s presence will accelerate Sino-Japanese economic cooperation in North China with regard to which the Japanese military are now most interested and the Japanese Ambassador most enthusiastic; and that the Japanese believe that if Wang is given a high post he will accomplish a great deal.
4.
A Tokyo press report of July 9 states that the Foreign Office and the War Ministry have instructed Japanese consular and military authorities in North China to give absolute support to Wang and to request Sung Che Yuan and other leaders of Sung’s army to give Wang absolute support.
5.
The above-mentioned informant and another officer of the Japanese Embassy do not believe the report that Wang has come with a program approved by the National Government for Sino-Japanese cooperation in North China.
3. [6?]
The same informant states that he cannot foretell whether Han Fu Chu will join Sung’s regime but that he is confident Yen Hsi Shan will not become Chairman [sic] “the vague political and military influence which Chiang Kai Shek wishes in Shansi.”

By mail to Tokyo.

Johnson
  1. Not printed.
  2. Chinese Minister of Interior, 1934–35.