893.00/13779: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Nanking, December 17, 1936—4
p.m.
[Received December 17—1:30 p.m.]
[Received December 17—1:30 p.m.]
357. General Chiang Ting Wen, who was among those detained by Chang Hsueh Liang in Sian, has been released and is expected shortly in Nanking with a personal letter from General Chiang Kai Shek. Sources close to Kung express optimism over the situation. There has been a noticeable division of opinion here as to method of handling the matter, the younger army group believing in forceful measures while older group, and this includes Kung and Madame Chiang Kai Shek, favor negotiation.
Sent to the Department; code text to Peiping by mail.
Johnson