793.94/7427: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25—7:30 a.m.]
This morning about 100 fully armed uniformed soldiers arrived in trucks at a lecture hall on main street in native city which is serving [Page 438] as the headquarters of the so-called autonomy movement in this city. The trucks bore banners marked “The death-defying army for the self-defense of the masses of North China” and large signs over the door of the hall named it the headquarters of the army. At the same time a parade of about 50 Chinese carrying banners urging autonomy for Hopei passed toward the hall. Handbills of the movement are being widely distributed and posters urging autonomy for North China have been posted on walls throughout Chinese city and Japanese concession.
Chinese police apparently are making no effort to interfere.
2. Armored cars were seen in front of the Peace Preservation Corps in Tientsin which is heavily guarded. Growing tension is evident. True reading to the Embassy.