793.94/5787: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:38 p.m.]
71. Reuter from Nanking, 21st:
“Questioned this evening concerning Marshal Tuan Chi-jui’s sudden departure from Tientsin for the South a Government spokesman stated that the former Chief Executive of the old Peking Government had lived in retirement in Tientsin for years, but following the Mukden incident rumors had been widely circulated alleging that he was secretly negotiating with Japanese for starting trouble in Peking and Tientsin area. After the Shanhaikwan fighting Marshal Tuan decided to leave Tientsin thereby definitely setting at rest such rumors. Spokesman added that Marshal Tuan would probably stay at Tsingtao or Shanghai.”