793.94/9128: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, August 2, 1937—1
p.m.
[Received 1:46 p.m.]
[Received 1:46 p.m.]
358. Embassy’s 353, August 1, 1 p.m.33
- 1.
- An officer of the China Foundation has informed the Embassy that it has decided to wind up its business in Peiping, although the Executive Committee must give the final order. There are not enough members of that Committee in Peiping to do this. Its books and documents have been safely stored.
- 2.
- He informed the Embassy that police have verbally ordered the National Library, the Museum Library, the China Foundation, and presumably other organs regarded as being connected with the National Government to destroy all pictures of Sun Yat Sen and all books of his and of his followers.
- 3.
- So far as known there have been no arrests other than the arrests of several Chinese newspapermen, and some of those connected with National Government news organs. However, it is alleged among leading Chinese that a list of 125 “undesirable” Chinese has been made by the Japanese. Whether it is the purpose of the latter merely to have these Chinese leave this area or whether it is for some other reason is not known. As some of the city gates are now under Japanese control, and as all are closing, escape of such Chinese would seem to be impossible.
- 4.
- The Japanese having gained military control of this area, it is becoming increasingly evident that they are now working to eliminate all possible opposition to their direction of affairs and any possible connection with the National Government.
Repeated to Nanking, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Lockhart
- Not printed.↩