793.94/8384: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—9:30 a.m.]
333. 1. Hsu Mo told the British Ambassador yesterday morning that the Japanese Kwantung army had warned Fu Tso Yi that an agreement between Doihara and Sung Che Yuan prevented sending of Chinese troops into Chahar. Hsu Mo said there is an opinion growing in the Chinese Government that the Government should issue a statement denying validity to any agreement with the Japanese not concluded by direct emissaries of the National Government as in the case of the Shanghai and Tangku truces. My British informant said Hsu Mo inquired whether the British Ambassador thought the Japanese Government would support the Kwantung army in its intrigues in Chahar and explained that Chiang Kai Shek might go to Suiyuan in person, the implication being that he might then pursue the irregular forces into Chahar thus challenging the Kwantung army.
2. Informant said that the lack of frankness of the Chinese Government regarding the obligations it has incurred was illustrated by a recent remark of Sung Che Yuan to the British Ambassador that he was obliged to sign the aviation agreement because the Tangku truce provided for it and that there were other concessions attached to the same document so “shameful” that he dared not reveal them.
3. Reuter despatch dated Tokyo November 25 quotes Nichi Nichi assertion that Great Britain and China are negotiating offensive and defensive alliance. The press carries denial of this report by the Chinese Government which describes it as fantastic. There have been indications here that the British Ambassador has consulted various Chinese authorities concerning their difficulties with Japan and has even tendered advice. I have several times reminded Hsu Mo that the Department is interested in the progress of events but [Page 394] when he has shown himself reticent I have refrained from pressing him for information because of my impression that the Department would prefer that I carefully avoid any implication of a joint American-Chinese interest in China’s struggle against Japanese encroachment.
Repeated to Peiping.