793.94/7589
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that Dr. Chiang Mon-lin, Chancellor of the National University of Peking, was informed on November [Page 476] 29 by two Japanese that the Japanese Gendarmerie would like him to call at its headquarters in the Japanese Embassy compound. Dr. Chiang called there later in the day, and subsequently informed a member of my staff of what occurred during the visit. (Dr. Chiang stated that the Japanese with whom he talked was an officer of the gendarmes named Kishimoto. According to the Japanese Embassy, however, Kishimoto is a “special sergeant-major”.)
Dr. Chiang had a conversation for 45 minutes in a room of which the door was locked. The Japanese, Kishimoto, told Dr. Chiang that the Kwantung Army had heard that Dr. Chiang had made speeches and had written articles of an anti-Japanese character. When Dr. Chiang denied this, the Japanese stated that the Kwantung Army had proofs. Dr. Chiang asked to see the proofs. The Japanese then suggested that Dr. Chiang accompany him that evening on the 8:30 train to “Manchukuo” to explain to the Kwantung Army. Dr. Chiang replied that it would be very unwise of the Japanese to kidnap him as the affair would receive a great deal of publicity which would result in lowering the prestige of the Japanese. Kishimoto then said that it was understood that Dr. Chiang had initiated the recent press statement issued by prominent Chinese educators of Peiping in opposition to autonomy. Dr. Chiang replied that he had initiated the statement, that he was opposed to autonomy, but that this was a purely internal question. Kishimoto hastened to agree that, of course, it was an internal matter and that the Japanese had nothing to do with the autonomy movement.
Kishimoto told Dr. Chiang that the Japanese felt that Dr. Chiang was anti-Japanese in his conversations and in his thoughts. Dr. Chiang informed Kishimoto that he was pro-Japanese in one respect; namely, in his regret that the Japanese Army was pursuing a policy in China which would ultimately bring about the ruin of Japan. Dr. Chiang then seized the opportunity to tell Kishimoto much of what is wrong with the Kwantung Army’s policy towards China, stating among other things that it listens to the advice of bad rather than good Chinese. Dr. Chiang told Kishimoto that he would be glad to call at the Japanese Embassy any time that the Japanese wanted some good advice.
At the conclusion of the conversation, the door was unlocked and Dr. Chiang was shown out courteously, the Japanese apparently being impressed by his fearlessness and frankness.
It may be added that shortly before the Japanese called on Dr. Chiang to arrange this call they had attempted to get in touch with Dr. Hu Shih who, however, was not at home at the time.
Respectfully yours,