893.00/13953: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:19 p.m.]
46. My 44, January 26, 3 p.m.
In a conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs January 26, 5 p.m., the latter confirmed that the efforts of the Chinese Government to consolidate its authority in Shensi Province centered mainly on an attempt to separate the forces of Yang Hu Cheng and the Northeast Army from association with the Communist forces. He said that the trend of the discussions warranted optimism. He denied that the Red forces exceeded 50,000 in number and insisted that their suppression would have been accomplished by now if they had not obtained support from the two rebel forces.
In spite of the vague optimism expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Embassy has not been able to learn of any concrete advance in the reestablishment of the Government’s authority in Sian.
Sent to Peiping, Hankow, Shanghai.