793.94/8382: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—4:27 p.m.]
563. Embassy’s 556, November 18, 6 p.m. Information purportedly given by a Chinese officer who participated in the fighting is to the effect that the Suiyuan forces had about 200 casualties in the fighting near Taolin; airplanes belonging to the attacking Chahar forces were reported active in bombing and observation. A foreign source reports the despatch of seven trains of troops from Tatung, North Shansi, evidently en route to the two fronts of Pingtichuang and Paoting [Pailingmiao?]. The troops were thought to be Shansi forces, and their equipment included some tanks.
A foreigner who arrived from Suiyuan today reports that fighting took place again on the 18th, with a reported attempt made by the Chahar attackers to cut the railway line. This informant stated that no National Government forces had been observed in the province, despite the rumors that 100,000 troops were being sent, and that the [Page 387] current press reports seem to be highly exaggerated. Various missionaries have evacuated from the province, Japanese nationals are also reported leaving points along the railway line for Peiping and Tientsin, but this informant stated that informed foreigners in Suiyuan were not yet seriously perturbed by the course of events.
Today’s Chinese press reports that the attacking forces were defeated and driven back by the Suiyuan defense forces, but that a new attack is expected.
Circular letters, purporting to be signed by Wang Ying and other rebel Chahar leaders, have appeared in Peiping; they strongly denounce Chiang Kai Shek and the Nanking Government.
Conferences in the last day or two between Sung Che Yuan and Han Fu Chu at Nanking, South Hopei, between Chiang Kai Shek and Yen Hsi-shan at Taiyuan, and between Chiang ad Han at Tsinanfu, are all presumed to be in connection with the North China situation; it is possible that they also have reference to the negotiations at Nanking. Sung announced yesterday, in regard to the meeting at Nanking, that he and Han “were both of the opinion that in view of the proximity of Shantung and Hopei we should cooperate closely for the maintenance of local peace and order and cultivate the friendship of our neighboring power (Japan) under the guidance of the fixed policy of the Central Government”.
A great deal of interest in the Suiyuan situation is being evinced by all articulate groups in China, and campaigns are already being started to collect money, clothing and comforts for the Suiyuan troops.
To Tokyo by mail.