893.01 Provisional/7: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

826. Embassy’s 822, December 14, 4 p.m.

1.
Of the six leading figures in the new regime (excluding the Mayors of Peiping and Tientsin) five held Cabinet posts under the Anfu clique government. All are reputedly skillful politicians but without reputations for administrative ability. They can scarcely [Page 811] be expected to administer a government of China efficiently. None brings much lustre to the régime, although Tang Erh Ho and Tung Kang have comparatively good reputations, as far as they go the members probably have more ability than the men in Sung Che Yuan’s recent régime. The new régime will have, however, stricter Japanese supervision. As yet no Japanese advisers have been appointed. It is presumed that the Japanese concerned are trying to find advisers of greater ability than those on duty here in recent months. Or it may be that Kita and his subordinates intend to direct affairs at least until a more precise form of government is evolved.
2.
The future of the régime cannot be forecast as it depends on many factors including possible opposition from the Kwantung army and the Japanese military in Central China which may not approve of the new régime and its claims. For example, it is said that the Japanese in control here planned to establish a committee form of government for North China but altered the plan I am informed for some undivulged reason to give the régime the appearance of a more complete government claiming sovereignty over China. The future of the régime also depends in some part on the readiness of the National Government to negotiate at this junction regarding peace terms. At present the new régime’s sphere appears to be confined even nominally to northern Hopei and those narrow zones along the lines of communication in Hopei, Shantung and Shansi controlled by the Japanese military. According to unconfirmed Japanese press reports, the East Hopei régime has been dissolved and that area put under the Peiping régime.
3.
What degree of approval the new régime may receive from Chinese of standing is not known. There is a report that Wang Keh Min recently interviewed T. V. Soong in Hong Kong and that some less enthusiastic Kuomintang members are friendly toward the new régime.
4.
A parade, including school children, was held this noon the occasion of the fall of Nanking and the establishment of the new régime.

Repeated to the Ambassador, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Lockhart