793.94/14214: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, October 27, 1938—1
p.m.
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
640. Embassy’s 620, October 13, 1 p.m.65
- 1.
- The Japanese claim to be completing a “mopping up” campaign in Shansi. Their claim to have again captured Yuanchu is not contradicted. [Page 346] Their claim that, following the capture October 2 of Wutai town, North Shansi, the mountain of that name was captured about 2 weeks later and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters in that vicinity was driven away with a loss to the Chinese of considerable amounts of ammunition and supplies appeared true.
- 2.
- The Japanese forces in South Shansi have not yet, according to their latest statements, been able to effect a crossing of the Yellow River into northern Honan or eastern Shensi, although they have made repeated attempts since early September. Now that Canton and Hankow have fallen, and the route from Soviet Russia via Sinkiang and Sian, Shensi is one of the few remaining channels of supplies for the National Government and the Chinese Communist forces, observers here generally expect that the Japanese will shortly make increased efforts to effect a crossing and drive against Sian.
- 3.
- Repeated to Chungking. By mail to Shanghai, Tokyo.
Lockhart
- Not printed.↩