861.77 Chinese Eastern/311: Telegram

The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State

808. Referring to my 805, Sept. 9, 5 p.m. Following from American Consul at Harbin:

“September 9, noon. General Manager Fan confirms Customs and Japanese official reports that railway station Suifenho destroyed by bombs from Soviet aeroplanes. Casualties estimated at from 30 to 100. Town in panic, railway staff escaped to Hsiaosuifen and Customs staff to Muling.

Japanese residents could not leave on account of lack of rolling stock. Firing near city heard until yesterday noon. Fan states that some aeroplanes flying over Chalainor dropped few bombs but situation there is not so serious as at Suifenho. States that night of September 7th passenger train blown up near Suifenho, two railway employees killed, others and some passengers wounded.”

MacMurray