File No. 793.94/533
As a result of the killing of certain Japanese soldiers at Chengchiatun,
the Japanese Government, through its Minister here, has on September 2
made certain demands upon the Chinese Government. I am confidentially
informed that they are as follows:
As in the case of the demands of 1915, the strictest secrecy was enjoined
upon the Chinese Foreign Office by the Japanese Minister.
A certain show of moderation is imparted to this list, undoubtedly with a
purpose, by including indemnity and apology under things desirable, but
not categorically demanded. The thing that is categorically demanded, i.
e. the policing of Manchurian towns by the Japanese and the control by
them of the Chinese police forces throughout those regions, strikes a
blow against the sovereignty of China in Manchuria which gives this
affair a very serious character. The degree to which this is resented by
the Chinese is apparent from the newspaper discussions (published in the
Peking Gazette) which are enclosed
herewith.4
It may be necessary for the Chinese to submit to the demands framed by
Japan * * *.
[Inclosure—Extract]
Consular General Heintzleman to Minister Reinsch
American Consulate General,
Mukden,
August 18, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to report that for
several months serious disturbances have occurred in a region
extending from Ssupingkai to Chengchiatun and from Changchun to
Taonanfu far into Mongolia. The developments of the trouble can be
traced with exactitude. Its inception was with the Russians who
began in April last to supply with arms the various Mongol Banners,
some seventee2 in number, inhabiting Kulun or the Hailar district of
Heilungkiang. In 191n Barga, which is the popular local name for
this region, seceded from China, and though the Chinese by force,
bribery and intrigue have ever since attempted to resubjugate the
area, it remains practically independent, relying for its existence
on its success in playing the three powers one against the other.
Although theoretically incorporated in this province and
Heilungkiang, the Russians regard it as part of Autonomous Mongolia.
The motives underlying Russian action are a desire to consolidate
and strengthen those Mongol tribes bordering on Siberia and North
Manchuria and thus preserve a semi-independent state already set up
through Russian influence which is to serve as a buffer between her
and China, and also in opposing the Japanese advance into North
Manchuria and Eastern Mongolia. The Japanese, knowing perfectly well
all that was going on, determined to turn the situation to their
advantage. They encouraged those Mongols of the Korchin Banner,
whose land lies around Taonanfu, most of whom they are able to
influence, to form a political party, in conjunction with Manchu
loyalists, to fight ostensibly for the restoration of the monarchy.
To these disorderly elements were joined the ordinary robber bands
also organized and equipped by the Japanese. Ssupingkai and
Changchun are the principal centers for the recruitment of bandits,
where they are protected by the Japanese and supplied with the
necessary military outfit. Chengchiatun and Taonanfu may be
considered rather as the bases of operations. The latter is the
headquarters of the Japanese general secret staff, to which it is
said no less than fifty Japanese general staff officers are
attached. For the past eighteen months a Japanese consular agent has
also been stationed there.
Chinese troops about 23 ying in number under
General Wu Hsing-chuan have attempted from Taonanfu to suppress
these revolutionists and marauders but in every engagement thus far
the Chinese have been worsted. In a recent encounter General Wu was
seriously wounded, although the Chinese for obvious reasons have
thus far declined to admit it. Additional Chinese troops comprising
22 ying have been despatched from Kirin and
Mukden to the fighting zone but they have been unable to relieve the
situation. Wherever they met the insurgents (Chinese reports to the
contrary) they suffered defeat. It is known to the Chinese
authorities that the insurgents are well organized and led by
Japanese, and that they follow tactics which only could be possible
under expert leaders, and by which the Chinese are always outwitted.
The number of the insurgents is given at 3,000. They are equipped
with five machines rifles, and they also have in their possession
such modern weapons as hand grenades, explosives, Mauser pistols and
Japanese rifles. On the 15th instant the insurgents captured
Kuochiatien, a town situated west of Changchun. In Changchun
anarchical conditions prevail. Murder and plunder are daily
occurrences. The Chinese city is, however, well guarded against the
insurgents and closed at night. The Japanese observe a cold reserve
and do not hinder in the least the free play of the bandits even in
their own concession.
In Chengchiatun a fight developed on the 13th instant between the
Japenese troops stationed there and the Chinese garrison by which
the Japanese were outnumbered and consequently defeated and for a
time besieged. Ten Japanese, including a police, were killed. Six,
including the lieutenant leading the squad of Japanese soldiers,
were wounded, while there are a few missing. The Chinese losses are
given as four killed and nine wounded.
The facts preceding this incident are, I have good reason to believe,
as follows: The Chinese commander of the local garrison knowing that
the Japanese were assisting the insurgents and that the Japanese
troops were hindering operations against the insurgents, asked the
Japanese commander to withdraw his forces from Chengchiatun
temporarily. The Japanese officer replied that he would do so on
condition that he received an assurance that the Chinese would
protect Japanese life and property. The Chinese officer declined to
give this guarantee [Page 243] and
renewed his request. A Japanese orderly upon attempting to deliver a
further communication on the subject at the Chinese barracks was
told the commander was absent. He began to use abusive language to
the Chinese guard, who retaliated by beating him. A Japanese police
then went to the barracks to demand an explanation. The Chinese
refused to listen and leveled their guns at him. He thereupon
returned and set out again with a guard of thirty Japanese soldiers
under a lieutenant. Upon appearing at the Chinese barracks they
attempted to force an entrance when they were resisted by a volley
of fire. The Japanese responded but, being outnumbered, were
compelled to retire. The fighting continued until the Japanese
reached their barracks. The losses on both sides were as described
above. Conditions soon became precarious. The Japanese, learning of
the incident and realizing that their small contingent was
surrounded by 3,000 Chinese troops, sent reinforcements from
neighboring towns in quick marching order. * * * The Chinese as well
have sent reinforcements to Chengchiatun. The Chinese troops are
supplied with ammunition by way of Hsinminfu. The Japanese consider
the forces already despatched as too weak and express doubt that
they will become masters of the situation. This gives the impression
that new reinforcement will be sent.
On receiving news of the conflict, Governor Chang ordered the
commander of the Chinese troops at Chengchiatun to cease hostilities
and withdraw his troops three miles from the city. In this
connection it is significant that while the Chinese troops are being
removed the Japanese military forces are being strengthened. General
Chang also sent two deputies to the scene to investigate and make a
report, while Major Machino, military adviser to the Mukden
government, has proceeded to Ssupingkai to discuss the affair with
Major-General Fujii, commander of the Japanese railway guard in
South Manchuria. Under instructions from Tokyo the Japanese Acting
Consul General at Mukden has gone to Chengchiatun to investigate the
facts of the case. The Special Delegate for Foreign Affairs called
on the 14th instant at the Japanese Consulate General here to
express regrets at the occurrence. General Chang also sent telegrams
expressing regret to the Governor General of Kwantung and to the
Army Department of the Kwantung Government. The magistrate of
Chengchiatun, conceiving it to be his duty as a local official,
called upon the Japanese Vice Consul to express his regrets at what
had occurred. He was accompanied by the chairman of the local
chamber of commerce. Upon presenting themselves at the vice
consulate, the magistrate was detained and was only released when he
offered his son as a substitute, who is now being held as a hostage.
The vice Consulate at Chengchiatun is a branch of the Mukden
consulate general and was opened August 1, 1916. * * *
I have [etc.]
