793.94/7457: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 30—9:30 a.m.]
188. The Embassy is reliably informed that Doihara informed Japanese pressmen last night at midnight that the Chahar clique decided yesterday to telegraph Nanking today that it has decided to declare autonomy of Chahar, Hopei, Peiping and Tientsin unless Nanking arrives at a complete understanding and unless Ho Ying-chin comes north. Doihara stated that the real meaning of the telegram is that autonomy will be declared. At 2 a.m. a Counsellor of Sung informed American press correspondent that Sung proposed at press conference that he telegraph today to Chiang Kai-shek, H. H. Kung and Ho Ying-Chin to explain that the North China situation is growing graver daily and that sentiment for autonomy is almost overwhelming and to ask for definite instructions how to deal with the situation. The Counsellor denies that this means that autonomy will be declared. However, as the statement about sentiment for autonomy appears to the Embassy to have no basis in fact, the Embassy is inclined to believe that Sung now intends shortly to break with Nanking. This is also the opinion of local leading educators who a few days ago issued a statement denouncing autonomy. Apparently the Kwantung Army’s show of force has had its desired effect on Sung and his followers.
Repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.