893.00/6353: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
Peking, July 2,
1925—7 p.m.
[Received July 2—10:35 a.m.]
[Received July 2—10:35 a.m.]
259. My 194, May 30, 10 a.m.
- 1.
- General situation as concerning Chang Tso-lin and Feng Yuhsiang apparently as follows: Former still Tientsin with train ready to start at any moment for Mukden. On the other hand Chang continues to state his desire to crush Feng—that he intends to do so shortly and come to Peking and take over control of affairs. He is making desperate efforts to obtain British support both civilian and governmental principally of financial character.
- 2.
- Emissaries of Chang have called upon British Chargé d’Affaires recently who has given them verbal negative reply. Chang’s position appears to be that he may at any moment for some reason or other either return to Manchuria or come to Peking and assume control, fighting Feng or not, dependent on latter’s attitude … In addition to financial stringency Chang is said to be threatened with disaffection among troops and subordinate leaders.
- 3.
- Substantially Feng’s position is the same as Chang’s. He is undecided whether to force matters vis-à-vis Chang on present issues and is supported and undoubtedly urged on by Soviet and radical Kuomintang assistance and incitement. Anything may overturn the balance in his case as in Chang’s and send him here to forestall a possible coup by the Fengtien forces. Feng continues to issue increasingly fiery and rabid statement[s] addressing his soldiers in a fervid antiforeign manner and particularly anti-British. He openly asserts war should be declared against Great Britain. Naval attache has information from highly reliable source that Feng has about completed preparations for seizure of the Government and is only awaiting signal from Canton.
Mayer