893.01 Manchuria/980: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9—7:44 a.m.]
21. It is generally believed that announcement of enthronement of Pu Yi as Emperor of a Colonial Mongol Manchu Kingdom or Empire will be made on January 15th, enthronement to occur March 1st. There would appear to be in this a plan to bring under Japanese control the Mongols of Inner Mongolia. Such a plan might work, for there is resentment among Mongols against attempts of Chinese to regulate Mongol land holdings. A Mongol Manchu Kingdom backed by Japan’s power which would confirm Mongol princes in their ancient rights and status would win support of Mongols who are isolated and fear northward moving landhungry Chinese.