793.94/7486: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
202. The Secretary of Ho Ying-chin stated last night in confidence to me that Takahashi has sent word to Ho that personally he welcomes him but that officially he informs the Minister of War that if he remains in North China there will be serious trouble.
It is understood that since Ho’s arrival he has conferred with Chinese leaders and that Chen Yi and Hsiung Shih-hui have conferred with Tada in Tientsin and Doihara in Peiping, presumably with regard to the possibility of a compromise in the face of a communion of some sort for the nominal administration of North China. Sung Che-yuan gave yesterday an interview to Chinese pressmen which has been forbidden publication in Chinese papers. In this interview Sung stated that the Japanese were primarily responsible for the autonomy movement and that he will take orders from the National Government and will resist the Japanese if necessary.
There has been obtained as yet no evidence that Ho has brought with him anything more than a rather nebulous plan. However, Sung’s statement represents a new attitude and is evidently the result of Ho’s arrival and representations. The Japanese are apparently deeply dissatisfied with Ho’s arrival and the National Government’s efforts to solve the North China situation. If Ho succeeds in effecting some compromise with the Japanese it may be but a temporary solution and the question remains whether the Japanese will achieve what I believe to be their aims subsequently by use of military force or by instigating disorders through the use of “traitor” Chinese. With Sung on the side of the National Government it may be more difficult [Page 472] for subversive activities to reach the proportions necessary to effect the changes desired by the Japanese. It is impossible to determine whether the Chinese will attempt to take any effective measures against Japanese activities of either category. There are evidences however that Ho’s arrival has brought out a stronger resolution on the part of the Chinese.
Repeated to Tokyo, by mail to Nanking.
- Telegram in three sections.↩