Office of the Historian

893.00/13774: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, December 16, 1936—noon.
[Received 4:55 p.m.]

354. Department’s 80, December 14, 2 p.m.

1.
Situation created by detention of General Chiang Kai Shek has been rendered exceedingly obscure by lack of any information from Sian as to purposes of Chang Hsueh Liang. Either of following may be true (a) Chang Hsueh Liang controlled by disaffected officers from among own discontented northeastern troops may have seized Chiang Kai Shek and his entourage for the purpose of coercing Central Government to meet pay requirements and adopt a stronger attitude toward Japan (b) Chang Hsueh Liang and his troops may have made common cause with the Communists and therefore seized Chiang and his entourage for the purpose of compelling Central Government to [Page 424] desist from attacks against Communists and adopt recent declared policy of Communist forces for more active opposition to Japan, a revival of revolutionary policy of Government and the adoption of a more friendly policy toward Soviet Russia.
2.
I called on Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday and conveyed to him our Government’s solicitude for the safety of General Chiang. Foreign Minister thanked me for message and told me that the action of Chang Hsueh Liang came as a complete surprise and shock to the Government and that Government was now undertaking to do everything possible to obtain release of Chiang but that in any case, with the support of the provinces and the people, who had been unanimous in condemning Chang Hsueh Liang, the Government purposed continuing routes hitherto adopted by them. The Minister for Foreign Affairs was much worried because no news had been received from Donald who was reported to have arrived at Sian at 2 p.m. on Monday. Later in the evening I learned confidentially from a newspaper source that Madame Chiang Kai Shek had received a message from Donald reporting Chiang’s safety. Newspaper source stated that source of his information close to Madame Chiang intimated that Communists were not in control of Sian and seemed to feel cheerful as to outcome in view of terms which Donald was supposed to have communicated as from Chang Hsueh Liang. This morning Vice Minister Hsu Mo confirmed receipt of message from Donald at Loyang by Madame Chiang. Vice Minister stated situation had not changed, that Government troops were nearing Sian. He did not communicate to me contents of message or its nature other than to say that Chiang Kai Shek was safe.
3.
I have maintained close contact with my British, French and German colleagues since Sunday. We are all agreed that situation is serious but perceive no beneficial action which we can recommend or take. Hsu Mo reported that Donald was returning to Sian which would indicate that negotiations of some kind are under way.
4.
For some time it has been known that the northeastern troops now in Shensi and Chang Hsueh Liang were discontented with their lot and with the Government’s policy vis-à-vis Japan. It is known that while [Chang] Hsueh Liang was withdrawing his forces which had been sent against Communist forces that the Northeastern troops have been the object of propaganda from student and radical agitators. Chiang knew this when he went to Sian. I foresee that any negotiations which may result in Chiang’s release may result in a change in the Government’s policy but it is difficult yet to forecast events.
5.
Sent to the Department, code text by mail to Peiping.
Johnson