[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.]
223
From JAPAN.
Decypher.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo).
27th January, 1938.
D.
5.45 p.m.
27th January, 1958.
R.
11.30 a.m.
27th January, 1938.
No. 104.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Military Attaché believes question of expeditionary force for
Canton is nearing a solution. There are rumours of shipping collecting in south Formosa and operations section of General Staff
are satisfied with their plans for despatch of a force of up to 5
Civisions. On the other hand highest military authorities are
not convinced that this is the best way of eliminating Chiang
Kai-shek's powers of recuperation as even an outstanding military
success could not justify grave political difficulties that might ensue especially with Great Britain; they also doubt whether the
country as a whole would welcome yet another distant adventure. Military Attaché suggested to very senior retired officer who is in
close touch with Prime Minister and other members of the Government
that no one would be more pleased than Chiang Kai-shek himself to
see Japan embark on an undertaking fraught with such dangerous
(non-military) complications; this argument appeared to carry
great weight.
I think much will depend on whether or not present attempt to
interrupt transit of munitions on Canton-ilankow railway by means of
air action proves successful.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.