893.00/12527: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—6:45 a.m.]
864. Following is substance of a telegram from the Consul at Amoy dated November 20, 3 p.m.:
Representatives of General Tsai Ting-kai have taken over local branch of the Central Bank of China proclaiming that its funds and those of various tax bureaus are to be used to defray military expenses which Nanking has failed to provide for. Li Chi-shen and Eugene Chen passed through Amoy to Foochow November 18. Consul also reports local situation quiet but general situation obscure.
Following telegram has been received from Nanking:
“November 20, 9 p.m. Reliably informed Smith, American pilot General Chiang’s plane, is detained but unharmed at Foochow.91 Orders of the National Government for punitive expedition against the Foochow regime which declared independence November 20 are expected to be made public shortly.”
Reuter reports from Shanghai, Nanking and Canton state that a People’s Government was reported to have been formally organized at Foochow on 20th with Li Chi-shen as chairman, Chen Ming-chu as chief of executive committee, Tsai Ting-kai as chief of military committee and Eugene Chen as chief of foreign affairs committee; Nanking Central Political Council is reported to have decided “to take drastic measures”; and that military preparations by Canton are progressing and defense forces are being stationed Fukien-Kwangtung border.
No reports received from Vice Consul at Foochow. Communication probably has been interrupted or subject to censorship.
Legation is telegraphing Vice Consul.
- In telegram No. 872, November 23, noon, the Legation in China relayed the following message from the Vice Consul at Foochow: “Local authorities assert that information is not correct and that neither Smith nor any other American is being held here.” (893.00/12535)↩