793.94/10872: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27—2:32 p.m.]
705. Your 343, October 26, 4 p.m.69 The officer in charge of Camp Burrowes, Chinwangtao, reports that for several days Japanese troops have been moving north through Chinwangtao; that on October 22, 2500 soldiers have moved northward and on the 23rd 1300 more moved northward; that approximately 4000 wounded soldiers were being evacuated by sea through Chinwangtao weekly but he did not indicate how long this had been in progress. There is still taking place a small inward movement of troops but I do not believe that these are in excess of the northward movement. There has been a considerable movement of troops eastward from Peiping to Tientsin during the last few days. It is very doubtful whether there will be any substantial increase in the number of Japanese troops in North China unless it should be determined to push further south beyond the Yellow River or the Lunghai Railway. This seems unlikely unless the “feelers” now being put out looking to an early cessation of fighting come to nought. To push the campaign further to the south for any considerable distance would require reenforcements in large numbers.
The Chairman of the Peace Maintenance Commission, who is concurrently mayor, broadcast an address last night emphasizing the need for a resumption of peaceful relations with Japan. There are increasing evidence of a desire in the North for peace negotiations and I believe that it might be an opportunity to explore the possibility of obtaining some idea, as requested by Wang Ching Wei70 (see second sentence of paragraph 5 of Nanking’s 846, October 22, noon71) of the conditions under which the Japanese would be willing to negotiate. If the peace overtures which are now emanating from North China have been inspired by the Japanese, as is believed to be the case, it would seem that they might possibly [afford?] an intimation such as suggested. The Embassy was informed October 25 by a well informed and reliable Japanese of close connections with Japanese authorities that the Japanese Government has decided in detail what it wants from a settlement with China. He states, however, that he believed that the Japanese desires would not be acceptable under the present circumstances to the National Government.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩
- Chairman of Kuomintang Central Political Council.↩
- Vol. iv, p. 102.↩