Date and number THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER III: JULY 1-OCTOBER 15, 1936-Continued 1936 Oct. 3 From the Consul at Hankow (tel.) 336 Chinese preparations for a possible conflict, and shipment of large consignments of silver to places of greater safety. Oct. 3 To the Belgian Ambassador 337 U. S. attitude with regard to the July 1 declaration of the "Manchoukuo" Minister for Foreign Affairs pertaining to extraterritorial rights enjoyed by foreign nationals. From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Press report of an interview between the Chinese Ambassador and the Foreign Minister who emphasized the importance of the present negotiations for adjusting Sino-Japanese relations and expressed the conviction that Japan's true intentions would become known when Kawagoe meets Chiang. To the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Instructions for Ballentine to read to the Vice Foreign Minister a close paraphrase of a statement (text printed) expressing U. S. gratification that the Japanese Government desires to solve the Sino-Japanese problems by diplomacy. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Two excerpts (texts printed) from a statement by the Chinese press reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the hope that a rupture in Sino-Japanese relations may be avoided. (Footnote: Advice that statement was drafted by the Foreign Office and approved by Chiang, but was not issued officially for policy reasons.) 338 338 339 Oct. 5 (295) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 340 From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) 340 Compliance with instructions in No. 128 of October 4; Foreign Office denial in the press that British or U. S. representations have been made regarding Chinese questions. Oct. 6 341 Oct. 6 From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Views of an official of the Executive Yuan regarding Sino- Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs To the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Suggestions for appropriate oral and confidential response to any question by responsible Chinese officials regarding U. S. attitude toward the Sino-Japanese situation. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Advice of interview between Chiang and the Japanese Ambassador; and information from Leighton Stuart, president of Yenching University, who believes that the most prevalent Chinese popular sentiment advocates resistance to Japan, since yielding would be more disastrous than unsuccessful resistance. 919456-54- -3 341 343 345 XXXIV Date and number LIST OF PAPERS THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER III: JULY 1-OCTOBER 15, 1936-Continued From the Consul General at Shanghai (tel.) 346 Renewed and heavy exodus of Chinese from Hongkew and 346 From the First Secretary of Embassy in China (tel.) Report that a tax on smuggled kerosene is being collected by a Japanese firm in Tientsin, paid to the Chairman of the Hopei-Chahar Political Council and the kerosene freely distributed in eastern Hopei and Chahar. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Information concerning Japanese Ambassador's interview with Chiang, who gave assurance that China was willing to settle incidents in accordance with international law and spoke of other outstanding issues; reply to Foreign Minister's inquiry as to whether U. S. representations on the SinoJapanese situation had been made at Tokyo. From the First Secretary of Embassy in China (tel.) 347 Oct. Oct. 10 Oct. 14 (300) Oct. 15 (778) 348 Indications that warlike activities may be renewed on the 349 Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Conversation with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, who believes the Japanese military are committed to a program intended to place China under the complete control of Japan. From the Ambassador in China Reasons, expressed by the Secretary of the German Embassy in Tokyo, why Japan is not ready for war at this time. 351 352 CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936 1936 Oct. 16 (304) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 353 Government plans to move from Nanking if hostilities seem unavoidable. Oct. 16 (2091) From the Chargé in Japan 353 Observations regarding an improvement in Japanese-Soviet relations. Oct. 17 (248) 356 Oct. 17 (308) To the Ambassador in China (tel.) Request for summary reports covering recent conversations in Nanking with representative persons, of whatever nationalities, and a detailed estimate of the present Sino-Japanese situation. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Advice of expected renewal of negotiations between the Foreign Minister and the Japanese Ambassador, and of opinion of German military adviser that China would accept challenge should Japan attempt decisive campaign in Shanghai-Hangchow-Nanking area. 357 Date and number 1936 Oct. 19 (507) THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936-Continued Subject From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Page 357 Oct. 20 (309) Oct. 21 (252) Compliance with instructions in No. 248 of October 17 and opinion that China is prepared to meet Japanese force with force. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Information from the Vice Foreign Minister that no agreement was reached in Foreign Minister's exchange of views October 19 with the Japanese Ambassador; evidence of lessened tension in Nanking. To the Ambassador in China (tel.) 358 359 Request for information in regard to an Associated Press report that Japanese air routes have been established between several North China points and Japan. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 360 Oct. 22 (311) Oct. 22 (510) Oct. 23 (312) Oct. 23 (514) Oct. 23 (511) Oct. 23 (512) Oct. 24 (255) Oct. 24 (314) Further discussions between the Japanese Ambassador and the Foreign Minister devoted almost exclusively to the unacceptable Japanese proposal for joint cooperation against the Communist menace. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Information that an air agreement has been signed and that the Huitang Company is being organized to deal with through air traffic. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Press announcement that Chiang's journey to Sian October 22 was for the purpose of inspecting bandit suppression activities, but it is rumored that Chiang intends to negotiate terms leading to inclusion of Communist forces in the Chinese Army. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) From Shanghai: Reported annoyance of Japanese authorities with Chiang's military dispositions as not consonant with the peaceful settlement suggestions which are being discussed in the Sino-Japanese negotiations. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) From Nanking: Request for approval to transfer arms and equipment from the U. S. S. Guam to the Embassy for use in a possible emergency of civil disorder and shooting. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) From Nanking: Request for authorization to speak informally to the Chinese military authorities asking on behalf of American interests involved that purely commercial character of the Chinese National Aviation Corporation be preserved if hostilities begin. Ambassador's approval of suggested action. To the Ambassador in China (tel.) 360 362 362 363 363 364 Approval of transfer of arms and equipment as requested in No.511 of October 23, and instructions to take effective precautions against any publicity. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 364 War Minister's insistence that object of Chiang's journey to Sian was really bandit suppression and report that Chiang has been talking about war with Japan some weeks. Date and number 1936 Oct. 27 (517) Oct. 28 (315) Oct. 28 (260) Oct. 29 (2107) THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936-Continued Subject From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Report that a life insurance monopoly is shortly to be established in "Manchoukuo," and recommendation that no action be taken unless the right of coexistence is denied to private companies. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Foreign Office official's advice that no progress had been made in sixth conference, October 26, between Japanese Ambassador and Foreign Minister; and his fear that no agreement would be possible unless new instructions came from Japan. To the Ambassador in China (tel.) From the Chargé in Japan Page 365 366 366 Instructions for action in the event of an actual crisis. 367 Observations concerning recent developments in the Chinese situation. Oct. 30 (262) To the Ambassador in China (tel.) 368 Concurrence with recommendation in No. 517 of October 27. Oct. 30 (523) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 368 Continuation of smuggling and resultant tax loss by the Oct. 30 (2113) From the Chargé in Japan 369 Observations relative to a Kuokumin article which indicated that Japan has now abandoned the idea of a political arrangement with Great Britain for cooperation. Oct. 31 (316) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 370 Information which was released to the press by the Foreign Outline of reasoning upon which was based the Ambassador's From the Consul at Tsinan to the Ambassador in China Information regarding a conversation between Chiang Kai- From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Appearance in the press of disturbing reports in regard to the From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Little hope of agreement in seventh conference scheduled November 10 between the Foreign Minister and the Japanese Ambassador; report that Suma has said that Japan has not receded from any of its proposals and that no importance should be attached to current reports of China's preparedness to resist Japan by force. 371 372 373 373 Date and number 1936 Nov. 11 (326) THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936-Continued From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 374 374 Nov. 12 (581) Nov. 12 (328) Nov. 12 (539) Nov. 13 (545) From the Consul General at Shanghai (tel.) Cooperation of municipal police and Japanese authorities in investigation of the fatal shooting of a Japanese seaman, allegedly by a Chinese. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Advice from press correspondent that Japanese are awaiting full report of the killing of the Japanese seaman and that at the recent conference the Chinese stated that for certain concessions they would consider restricted joint operation against Communists. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Interference, by Sung's orders, with functioning of customs preventive service officers just outside Tientsin and reports of smuggling activities at Taku. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 375 375 376 Unconfirmed press report of an attack by pro-"Manchoukuo" forces on the Chahar-Suiyuan border. Nov. 13 (2127) From the Chargé in Japan 377 Belief of Chinese Counselor of Embassy that a Sino-Japanese war is inevitable. Comments on Japanese public opinion which evinces a calmer and less truculent attitude toward Chinese questions. From the Ambassador in Italy (tel.) 378 From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Nov. 16 (465) Nov. 17 (551) Nov. 18 (556) Information regarding rumored alignment of Japan with Italy and the projected Italian recognition of "Manchoukuo" in exchange for Japanese recognition of Ethiopia. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 379 Confirmation of fighting reported in No. 545 of November 13, and attack by pro-"Manchoukuo" forces north of Taolin. 379 Advice from a member of the Naval Attaché's staff that press reports of fighting on Suiyuan-Chahar border are highly exaggerated. Nov. 18 (482) From the Consul General at Shanghai 380 Transmittal of detailed memorandum (excerpt printed) concerning the possible neutralization of Shanghai in the event of a Sino-Japanese conflict. Fighting by Chahar forces operating from Pailingmiao and Nov. 25 (574) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 388 Press reports that counterattacks by Suiyuan forces threw back the Chahar irregulars along the Wuchuan-Kuyang front and that the National Government has directed Teh Wong to withdraw from Pailingmiao. |