893.00/13776: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
355. My 354, December 16, noon.
1. Situation unchanged; Nanking quiet. Yesterday Government announced punitive expedition against Chang Hsueh Liang headed by Ho Ying Chin, Minister of War. Military situation is as follows: Chang Hsueh Liang at Sian has two to three divisions poorly disciplined and poorly equipped. He has one division on highway connecting Sian with Tungkuan with outposts at approximately Weinan. He has a further two divisions on highway running north of Sian which are reported to be north of Taohsien but marching south presumably followed by Communist forces with which they have fraternized. He also has some troops in Kansu but present status of these troops unknown, presumably coming southward on great highway through Pinhsien.
National Government has one division understood to be the thirteenth at Sienyang at the junction of the highway connecting Sian with Kansu and the highway running north to Ninghsia and Suiyuan. These troops have been ordered to hold Sienyang against Chang Hsueh Liang’s troops coming south. At a place called Puafeng south of the Sian-Kansu road National Government has five divisions which have been engaged in railway and road construction. They are understood to be under orders to reenforce division at Sienyang and also to cross over to Sian-Kansu highway to cut off approach from Kansu. National Government also has a division at Lantien on road connecting Sian southward with Honan and Hupeh. National Government troops including division with complete modern mechanized equipment, artillery, tanks and trucks, now concentrating at Tungkwan on Sian-Loyang highway and marching west, part of them going northward to cut Sian-Ninghsia highway at Sanyuan. Modern equipment being advanced along road to Sian and capable of traveling very fast. Military dispositions intended to isolate and impress Chang Hsueh Liang and his troops.
(2) Political situation. Donald is in Sian and negotiations proceeding in the hope that, backed by military display, Government will succeed in relieving the situation. Elder,7 representing Chang Hsueh Liang, understood to have arrived last night, now closeted with Kung and T. V. Soong.
Sent to the Department; code texts mailed Tokyo, Peiping.