123J634/587: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Yokohama (Boyce)
For Ambassador Johnson now on steamer President Coolidge due at Yokohama on May 19. General Chiang Kai-shek and Minister H. H. Kung have expressed to Mr. Peck the hope that you will defer to a later date your visit to north China and that you will return directly to Chungking. Apparently the attitude of the officials named has its origin in an apprehension lest your proceeding directly from Washington to north China will be construed as indicating a change of policy on the part of the American Government, and also from a desire on the part of the Chinese Government to discuss various matters with you as soon as practicable.
The Department realizes that a change in your present plans, as outlined above, may result in considerable inconvenience to you but in view of all available data is of the opinion that you should proceed directly to Chungking, postponing to a later date your visit to north China.49 The Department is appropriately informing Chungking.
- The Ambassador in China postponed his visit to North China and proceeded directly to Chungking.↩