861.77 Chinese Eastern/213: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
273. Press here during last few days has been printing reports from Reuters, London, Rengo, Japan, and Nanking indicating occurrence of border clashes of more or less serious nature at Manchuli, Blagoveschensk and Pogranichnaia. Please ask Harbin to investigate and report as to facts. Among these reports has been one which apparently has received wide credence to the effect that Chinese have been marching Russian prisoners up and down streets of Harbin with bleeding faces. Department would like to have information regarding this last report.