793.94/7504: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
211. Embassy’s 209, December 8, 4 p.m. According to foreign observers, five or six hundred students of Tsing Hua and Yenching universities attempted to enter the city this morning to protest against the autonomy movement but the city gates were closed against them.
- 2.
- Three or four hundred students of schools within the city demonstrated in front of Ho’s residence this morning and are now moving [Page 481] about the city gathering more students. The crowd is now said to number 1,200 and to be about to hold a mass meeting. They have been inventing [inveighing?] against the autonomy movement traitors and Japanese imperialism.
- 3.
- Handbills have been distributed in the city today expressing the same belligerent ideas including exhortations for resistance and war against Japan.
- 4.
- No Japanese planes have flown over Peiping since December 6th.
- 5.
- Japanese pressmen claim that Doihara disapproves of the proposed Council for Hopei and Chahar but no official Japanese statement has been made.
- 6.
- Japanese Embassy official states that he understands the following to be correct: All Japanese authorities except the Kwantung Army are favorably inclined toward the proposed Council but there is apprehension that the Council will not make the economic, strategic and financial arrangements which the Japanese military desire.
- 7.
- Chinese officials expect the National Government to approve the establishment of the proposed Council. Its membership and powers are still unknown. Repeated to Nanking, repeated by mail to Tokyo.
Johnson
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