This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
200
From CHITA.
Mr. Howe (Shanghai).
Decypher.
2nd February, 1938.
D.
( BY W/T)
2nd February, 1938.
R.
4.00 p.m.
2nd February, 1938.
No.223.
XXXXXXXXXX
S
SECRET.
Following is a summary of the Military Attaché's appreciation of the situation.
It should be read in conjunction with Mr. Mackillop's
telegrams Nos. 76 and 89.
Chinese army has been organised and equipped by foreign countries whose representatives have for the most part given entirely misleading advice as to China's ability to Japan. Soviet military Attaché has encouraged the Chinese to believe that the Japanese were bluffing and that some form of active assistance would be forthcoming from Soviet Government: General Falkenhayn has continually asserted that the Chinese are strong enough to resist and even to drive the Japanese from North China. French authorities in the past have practically promised facilities (not implemented) for free importation of munitions via Indo-China, Donald and Malley have supported vigorously the bellicose and ill-founded attitude of Madame Chiang Kai-shek though they do not speak Chinese and are in a position to realise the facts.
Territorial situation is that Japanese have overrun five important provinces and part of two more, have captured Nanking, driven the Government to Hankow are in occupation of Tientsin, Tsingtao, Shanghai, Hangchow and are in a position to take
Canton and advance on Hankow.
Chinese