861.77 Chinese Eastern/242: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:29 p.m.]
749. Legation’s 742, August 21, 11 a.m. Following from American Consul at Harbin:
“August 21, 4 p.m. Nothing special to report from frontier. Fan Chi-kuan informed me today he is worried regarding danger of terrorist acts on railway line which may cause employees refuse to operate trains. Moving locomotives, not trains, appear to be objects [of] attacks [by] terrorists. Fan also said movement about 50,000 Fengtien troops via Taonanfu will commence tomorrow. Concentration camps established suburbs near and across Sungari River from Harbin.
German Consul General states that condition of prisoners was bad but that as a result of his representations Chinese authorities now allow food and comforts to be brought to prisoners by their relations and today moved 500 men and women to more roomy quarters across the river. According to the German Consul General, 39 prisoners arrested in raid on Soviet Consulate General on May 27th for some time went on hunger strike, as a result of which all are weak and two quite ill. He has requested prison doctor to care for them. Procurator assured him these prisoners will learn by end of this week whether they will be held longer for trial or freed. No formal trial held nor other legal action has been taken. It appears that the Chinese defend their callous attitude toward Russian prisoners by retorting that Chinese in Siberia, especially at Vladivostok, are being cruelly treated by Russians.”