893.00/14022: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, February 26, 1937—2 p.m.
[Received February 26—7:25 a.m.]
[Received February 26—7:25 a.m.]
70. Reference Embassy’s telegram No. 61, February 15, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- No change has taken place in the North China situation. An official of the local Japanese authorities expresses doubt that the Third Plenary Session at Nanking made any decision with regard to North China questions.
- 2.
- Although it appears that the Japanese military are dissatisfied with the situation for such reasons as the apparent lack of progress in Sino-Japanese economic cooperation in regard to China and because of General Chin Teh Chun’s attendance at the Third Plenary Session as Sung Che Yuan’s representative, there is no indication that the quiet situation here will be altered in the near future. Small incidents [Page 32] involving the Japanese which occur periodically are not now magnified as they were a short time ago. Local Chinese appear to be easier in their minds than previously. For example, announcement of impending routine replacement of Japanese troops has aroused no uneasiness, unlike previous replacements.
- 3.
- The transfer of Itagaki, Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, to command a division in Japan, to be effective March 1, may be an effort of the military authorities at Tokyo to gain a more effective control over the Kwantung Army. Itagaki’s successor is to be Lieutenant General Tojo, at present commander of the Japanese gendarmerie in Manchuria.
By mail to Tokyo.
Lockhart