Office of the Historian

893.00/13831: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, December 24, 1936—noon.
[Received December 24—7:35 a.m.]

638. Generals Sung Che Yuan and Han Fu Chu issued a circular telegram last night suggesting the convocation of a national conference of Government leaders and retired elder statesmen to evolve measures to deal with the Sian trouble. Their stated aims are to preserve the nation, prevent the suffering of the people and safeguard the life of Chiang Kai-shek. The inference is that the two generals are opposed to a punitive expedition.

By mail to Tokyo.

Lockhart