893.00/12392: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26—4:30 a.m.]
624. Situation in Chahar remains indefinite. Region north of Kalgan filled with ex-volunteers and bandit soldiers who are being pushed out of Manchuria and Jehol by the Japanese. Nationalist Government is now moving troops northward along Peiping-Hankow and Peiping-Suiyuan Railways in the direction of Nankou. Purpose of this movement uncertain but I believe, and Military Attaché shares this belief, that Nationalist Government is convinced Japanese will attempt to drive Feng and his newly acquired and badly disciplined forces away from Dolonor and other points along the Jehol border on theory that Feng and those with him may attempt to retire southward through Nankou. That is intended to prevent this.