893.00/4961: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Schurman ) to the Secretary of State

123. My 102, April 10, 6 p.m. Reports of impending hostilities between Fengtien and Chihli forces actively circulating and perturbing Chinese civilian population. The situation seems to be that both sides are energetically and even feverishly preparing for eventualities but each declares that it has no intention of beginning an attack on the others. Japanese Minister Obata who departed yesterday for Tokyo on leave in farewell audience with the President 25th expressed earnest desire of Japan that hostilities between Fengtien and Chihli should not occur and President replied that he was doing his utmost to avert them.

Schurman