793.94/7399: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:07 p.m.]
85. Reuter’s has today distributed “for your information only” a news despatch with date line Peiping, November 17. Synopsis follows: The Garrison Commander, Sung Che-yuan, and the Mayor, Chin, are extremely anxious over threatened Japanese invasion and have asked Nanking for instructions but none have been received. According to informed sources Doihara has pressed both officials for a declaration of full or semi-independence. It is reported that this pressure has been resisted but that the Chinese officials obtained Doihara’s consent that if such a declaration became inevitable they might consider it subject to the conditions that the wishes of the people should be followed and that the declaration should not lead to loss of Chinese territory. The news report continues that Doihara may consequently hold his hand temporarily in view of reports that Yen Hsi-shan is likely to return to Shansi disappointed in his projects but it is understood that Doihara has threatened that if independence is not declared the Japanese troops gathering at Shanhaikuan will come inside the Great Wall. The report concludes with the observation that Sung and Chin are faced with the dilemma of either consenting [Page 422] to political detachment of North China or seeing military occupation of Chinese territory.
Repeated to Peiping.