893.00/13967: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

69. My 63, February 6, 11 a.m. A responsible official of the Government has informed the Embassy that “a preliminary settlement” of [Page 24] the Sian situation has been reached and General Ku Chu Tung, Chief of the Provisional Headquarters of the Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee in Sian, arrived in Sian February 9, 10 a.m. General Yang Hu Cheng, February 8, informed the Government that he expected to be on hand to welcome General Ku. General Yu Hsueh Chung is said to be in Sian but is free to return to Kansu when his services as mediator are no longer needed. Government forces have been so far stationed to safeguard communications between Sian and Lanchow (Kaolan). The indications are that the Red troops do not wish to contest Government reoccupation of the Sian area.

The informant would not admit that this surprisingly peaceful settlement of the Sian difficulty resulted from carrying out by the government of any promises made by General Chiang Kai-shek when in the hands of the Sian rebels and said that the only promise given by Chiang was that he would submit their “demands” relating to resistance to Japan, et cetera, to the National Government. He said these subjects would be dealt with February 15 at Central Executive Committee meeting and that a fair attendance of members was assured.

Sent to the Department, Peiping, Hankow.

Johnson