Office of the Historian

861.77/2251: Telegram

The President of the Technical Board (Stevens) to the Secretary of State

Harbin, September 24, 1921—2 p.m.
[Received September 24—10:22 a.m.]

Referring to my cable of September 20, 9 a.m.40 I have received direct reliable confirmation that the Japanese through the channel of South Manchuria Railway are negotiating for the purchase or the lease of Ussuri Railway. Such an arrangement would have no shadow legality but would be sure to complicate situation very badly and must be prevented. Vladivostok government is favorably disposed and there is probability of consummation of such an arrangement unless action taken to prevent.

Stevens
  1. Not printed.↩