793.94/7513: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, December 12, 1935—11
a.m.
[Received December 12—12:55 a.m.]
[Received December 12—12:55 a.m.]
239. The Military Attaché of the Embassy was yesterday informed by the Liaison Officer of the Japanese War Office that:
- 1.
- Negotiations between General Ho and General Sung for a semiautonomous state in Hopei and Chahar have been progressing smoothly and the actual terms of the agreement will be announced within a few days. The Japanese Army authorities who hope for a gradual change in North China are well satisfied with the progress made.
- 2.
- It is true that investigations are being made looking toward the strengthening of the North China garrison by increasing the number of staff officers, military police and communications personnel, but there is no present intention of increasing the combat forces of the garrison.
- 3.
- The Japanese Army authorities in North China have been ordered to arrest the Japanese “China Ronin” who have been making trouble in North China and who, contrary to popular belief, are not in the pay of the Japanese Army. (It was implied but not so stated that this move was inspired by the implications of Japanese participation in the autonomy movement contained in the statements of Mr. Hull and Sir Samuel Hoare.)
Repeated to Peiping.
Neville