Date and number THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936-Continued Subject 1936 Nov. 25 (570) Nov. 25 (2147) Nov. 26 (333) Nov. 26 (2160) From the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (tel.) From the Chargé in Japan Summary of conditions which appear to have led to a noticeable decrease in Japanese expressions of belligerency against Soviet Russia and China. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Evidence of lack of frankness of the Chinese Government regarding obligations it has incurred; and advice of growth of feeling in the Government that it should deny validity of any agreement not concluded by its direct emissaries. From the Chargé in Japan Page 389 389 393 Nov. 27 (879) Nov. 28 (577) Nov. 30 (335) Nov. 30 (245) Dec. 1 (247) Dec. 1 (521) Dec. 2 (337) 394 Observations regarding the Soviet Union's suspension of negotiations with Japan following report of a German-Japanese accord. 396 Comments on the expansion of Japanese activities in the everyday life of Peiping. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 398 From the Ambassador in China Information regarding apparent preparations for future eventualities in the Suiyuan area, which has been quiet since the capture of Pailingmiao. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Promise of German Ambassador to request information, desired by the Foreign Minister, concerning German-Japanese anti-Communist agreement. Advice that Italian Ambassador will call on Foreign Minister in regard to Italo-Japanese agreement relating to recognition of present status of Ethiopia and Manchuria. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Information regarding the Italo-Japanese agreement negotiations which apparently are not connected with the recently concluded German-Japanese anti-Comintern agreement. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Italian Ambassador's disparagement of press emphasis given to recent Italo-Japanese negotiations which followed so closely the conclusion of the German-Japanese agreement; and opinion that the Japanese authorities wish to avoid the implication that a German-Italian-Japanese Fascist bloc is being formed. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Popular belief that the new Japanese-German agreement is From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Information from an Executive Yuan official who stated that while still ignorant of the precise content and significance of the German and Italian agreements with Japan, the Chinese Government is again impressed with the fact that China must depend entirely on its own exertion for protection from aggres 399 399 400 401 402 LIST OF PAPERS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936—Continued Subject From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Information from a Foreign Office official that the Chinese From the Ambassador in Italy (tel.) Official communiqué reporting Japanese Minister's statement to the Foreign Minister of Japan's decision to transform its Legation in Addis Ababa to a Consulate General; expectation of Tokyo and Rome communiqués relative to Italian relations with "Manchoukuo." From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) From Tsingtau: Landing of 800 armed sailors from a Japanese merchant marine to protect Japanese cotton mills which had declared a lockout, and seizure by the landing party of several local officials. XXXIX Page 403 403 404 From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 404 Foreign Minister's oral protest, confirmed by note to Japanese Ambassador, against landing of Japanese sailors at Tsingtau; and his return of a Japanese aide-mémoire recapitulating the previous seven discussions. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) From Tsingtau: Release of arrested Chinese and belief of authorities that landing action was designed to force out the present local administration. From the Consul at Harbin to the Ambassador in China Verification by the Italian Consul of a press report that the Italian Ambassador in Tokyo has been granted permission through the "Manchoukuo" Ambassador to establish a Consulate General in Mukden. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) From Mukden, December 7: Decision of the "Manchoukuo" From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) 406 406 407 Dec. 8 (254) 407 Possibilities that the Tsingtau situation has a political rather than defensive background or that it was to demonstrate Japan's future action should all diplomatic negotiations for the protection of Japanese nationals cease. Dec. 9 (255) From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) 408 Opinion that Cabinet's difficulties are mainly due to the failure of the Japanese negotiations with China and not to the recently concluded German-Japanese agreement. Dec. 10 (601) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 409 Dec. 10 (277) Information regarding movements of Suiyang forces. From the Ambassador in China Transmittal of a memorandum (text printed) of a conversation with Suma of the Japanese Embassy, whose observations included a remark that the bad situation in the Pacific and Asia might be stabilized by some very simple agreement between United States and Japan. 410 Date and number 1936 Dec. 10 (913) Dec. 12 Dec. 13 (349) Dec. 13 (604) Dec. 13 (605) Dec. 13 (606) THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936—Continued Subject Page From the Ambassador in China 413 Seizure of smugglers' trucks by Shantung Provincial authorities. (Footnote: Release of trucks to Japanese Consul General after his oral assurance that there would be no more smuggling in Shantung by Japanese or Koreans.) Memorandum by the Ambassador in China Conversation with the British Ambassador who stated that the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs had suggested, as his own idea, that the powers issue a joint statement in support of the Kellogg Pact and that he proposed to talk with the American Ambassador about it also. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Official press report of rebellion by Chang Hsueh Liang and his troops against the Central Government; his detention of Chiang Kai-shek; and his circular telegram advocating 1esistance against Japan, a Chinese treaty with Soviet Russia, and the formation of a democratic government. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Demonstrations by students who demand an anti-Japanese policy. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Reported demands by Chang's troops including war against From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 413 414 415 416 416 Confirmation from Tsingtao Consulate that the strike there has been amicably adjusted; unconfirmed report that part of Japanese landing party has returned to their ships. Dec. 14 (350) 417 Dec. 14 (258) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Information from Hsu Mo that the Central Government has received assurances of support from Sung and other provincial governors and report that Feng Yu Hsiang has offered himself as hostage for the release of Chiang. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Information relative to British and Soviet recommendations to China not to overplay its hand but to make certain unessential facesaving concessions to Japan. 418 Dec. 14 (79) To the Ambassador in China (tel.) 419 Instructions to call on the Foreign Minister and/or the Acting Chairman of the Executive Yuan and express orally the U. S. solicitude with regard to the safety of Chiang. 419 Dec. 14 (80) Dec. 14 (608) To the Ambassador in China (tel.) Instructions to make full report of the outstanding facts in the Sianfu situation and of related facts, to maintain close contact with Chinese officialdom and diplomatic colleagues, and to report promptly and continuously any comments or suggestions. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Advice that Chinese officials appear to be in a very confused state of mind regarding events in Shensi and are apparently without information except from Nanking. 420 Date and number THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS CHAPTER IV: OCTOBER 16-DECEMBER 31, 1936-Continued Subject 1936 Page Dec. 14 (917) From the Ambassador in China 422 Statement reportedly dictated by the late General Huang Fu covering Sino-Japanese issues and seemingly reflecting the attitude of most enlightened Chinese. Dec. 15 (612) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 422 Advice of Sung's adherence to his anti-Communistic policy and to obedience to Nanking Government's orders. From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 423 423 From Tsingtau: Withdrawal from cotton mills of Japanese landing party, 300 to their ships, the remainder to billets. 423 Dec. 15 (352) Dec. 15 (613) Dec. 16 (354) Dec. 16 (615) Dec. 16 (616) Dec. 16 (2188) Dec. 16 (377) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Advice that the situation is rendered exceedingly obscure by lack of information from Sian; conversation with Foreign Minister in which the Ambassador conveyed U. S. solicitude for Chiang's safety. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Observations relative to the Sian imbroglio, and opinion that negotiations and compromise rather than military operations offer the best prospect for the release of Chiang and solution of the problem. From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) Request for instructions in regard to making representations to the Peitaiho Police Chief relative to robberies of American property, and to the East Hopei regime regarding additional taxes levied against the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company. From the Ambassador in Japan Analysis of Soviet-Japanese relations following the Soviet From the Consul at Tientsin to the Ambassador in China Observations regarding military and political situations; following Government announcement of a punitive expedition against Chang Hsueh Liang headed by the Minister of War. 425 425 426 429 430 Dec. 17 (620) From the Counselor of Embassy in China (tel.) 431 Information regarding the situation along the Suiyuan front and opinion that any effective attack by "irregulars" is improbable in the near future. Dec. 17 (357) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 432 Release of General Chiang Ting Wen, who was among those held in Sian, and his expected arrival in Nanking with a personal letter from Chiang. Dec. 18 (360) From the Ambassador in China (tel.) 432 Kung's expression of appreciation for U. S. concern for From the Ambassador in Italy (tel.) Conversation with the Foreign Minister who has sent a personal appeal to Chang for Chiang's release and who believes that Chang was influenced by the Soviet Union in the capture From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Advice of conferences relative to Chiang's safety and of a Government mandate ordering a punitive campaign against Request for comments on British aide-mémoire inquiring From the Consul at Harbin to the Ambassador in China Arrival at Nanking of letter from Chiang to Ho Ying Chin (text printed) requesting cessation of hostilities and indicating Cessation of active hostilities, pending anticipated release, as requested by Chiang in letters to Madame Chiang and Ho Ying Chin; official manifesto giving reasons for punitive From the Ambassador in China (tel.) Opinion that Chinese prestige would be enhanced if China can solve the Sian problem alone but suggestion that Embassy be authorized to inform the Foreign Minister that the Ameri- can and British Governments are prepared to ensure safe departure from China of Chang. To the Ambassador in China (tel.) Instructions regarding extent of U. S. cooperation with the British Government in possible attempt to effect safe conduct |