894.00/580: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28—7:15 a.m.]
44. My 42, February 27, 2 p.m. Comment on recent events in Japan among important Chinese officials with whom I have talked is generally [Page 728] to the effect that action of Japanese Army presages a more drastic attitude toward China and Russia by Japan. Chinese now as in the past are speculating upon probabilities of an early outbreak of hostilities between Japan and Russia. Russian Ambassador expresses confidence that Japan will hesitate to attack strongly fortified and armed Russian position in Siberia and believes Japan will concentrate upon a China that is weak and disunited. He expresses belief that further aggression by Japan in China will precipitate a revival of civil war. He looks upon recent events in Japan as a natural Fascist evolution which will bring inflation, increased trade and larger military expenses.
By mail to Peiping and Tokyo.