793.94/8934: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 23—9:40 a.m.]
323. 1. Hidaka told a foreign correspondent this morning that the Chinese were very much mistaken if they thought the Japanese were bluffing in respect to the sending of National Government troops in Hopei; the Japanese Government had made three démarches in this respect (Japanese Assistant Military Attaché to Vice Minister of War July 17, Hidaka to Wang Chung Hui midnight July 17, and Kita to Ho Ying Chin July 19) and these were not empty gestures.
2. We learn from reliable source that 10 cars of Chinese troops passed northward yesterday through Hsuchowfu, Kiangsu, into Shantung.
3. As far as known no official reports from foreign military observers in Japan have been received here confirming the despatch from Japan of 35,000 troops which are persistently reported in the press as having been scheduled to arrive in Tangku yesterday or today.
Sent to Peiping.