793.94/2794: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—6:44 a.m.]
The following identic telegram is being sent to their respective Governments by my British, French and German colleagues:
“I and my British, French and German colleagues received summons from Mr. T. V. Soong late on November 19th. He informed us on behalf of the President, occupied with party meetings, that he had a grave announcement to make. The failure to act on the two resolutions of the League Council and the failure to meet China’s recent request for neutral observers to be sent to Manchuria to prove on which side the aggression lay had created a deplorable impression throughout the country. The Chinese Government still believed that the attitude they had hitherto adopted was correct and they had not lost faith in the League. But the occupation of Tsitsihar by Japanese had brought matters to a climax. The Party Congress had that day held a secret session and passed a resolution that, in view of the dislocation of all machinery of government in Manchuria brought about by recent events, President Chiang should proceed to the North as commander in chief as soon as possible ‘to watch events’. This was a very fateful decision and, while the resolution had already been carefully worded, we should read between the lines and understand all its implications.
In reply to our enquiries, he furnished following:
In face of national crisis all internal differences would be sunk. Nanking National Congress had at the same time reached the further decision to carry out to fullest agreement arrived at by Shanghai Unification Conference and in fact to accept all the demands of Canton. Nanking and Canton Party Congresses would each elect 24 members for new Central Executive Committee. Business of Party Congress would probably take until about Monday. Inquiry established that there was thus still an interval of few days before President’s departure. Peiping would probably be his first destination. It was realized that wavering would be madness, but if some action were not taken Government would fall and Kuomintang itself be so discredited that existence not only of the Government but also of the party was at stake.
Asked if there was any special message for our respective Governments, he said there was nothing to add to above announcement.”
Repeated to the Legation, Tokyo and commander in chief.