893.00/13849: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30—9:20 a.m.]
646. An American newspaper correspondent who returned today from Loyang stated that the impression is general there that the quid pro quo, in part, for Chiang’s release is the acceptance of most of the points set forth in Chang Hsueh-liang’s circular telegram (see Embassy’s 627, December 20, 5 p.m.). The correspondent also states that young officers have now largely supplanted older men in Chang’s army; that the “feudal dead wood”, as they were described, have (presumably) been dismissed or allowed to resign; that the young officers have been undergoing intensive political and military training for many months and that they now dominate Chang Hsueh-liang. It is entirely possible that this element may have been a dominating factor in Chang’s recent coup. Correspondent reports that the Central Government has an extremely firm hold on Shansi and that the movements of all foreigners in Loyang and thereabouts are closely watched. He reports an extremely strong military line along the Lung-Hai Railway.
By mail to Tokyo.