793.94/15443: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—1:12 p.m.]
555. Chungking’s 557, October 17, noon, section (g). An American resident of Kaifeng, Honan, who arrived here yesterday on a visit and whose reports have hitherto proved accurate states that for many months the Japanese military at Kaifeng have been training a corps of Chinese soldiers with the intention of using them in pacification work or garrisoning Kaifeng thus relieving the strain on Japanese troops. He reports that 10 days ago the Japanese held an imposing ceremony at which the Chinese corps of 800 men who had previously drilled unarmed were given rifles, ammunition and their pay; the same night the entire corps revolted, killed their Japanese military “advisers” (some four or five officers) and joined the Chinese forces in the region. The informant commented on the significant connection between this revolt and the Japanese reverse at Changsha of which he stated Chinese in Kaifeng were well informed through radio. The presumption is that the Japanese were bitter over this wrecking of their plans and trouble.
Repeated to Chungking, Shanghai. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.