861.77 Chinese Eastern/716: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—7:05 a.m.]
1171. My 1167, December 18, 7 p.m. Following from American Consul at Harbin:
“December 19, 4 p.m. American, British, Japanese consular party now at Buketu but anxious to proceed by any means now [to?] Yakeshi where a motor car for the trip to Hailar can be procured. Chinese military command, although able to run trains to Yakeshi, is putting obstacles in the way, evidently because it is feared that party will see results of systematic looting done by Chinese officers and soldiers who are shipping loot by the carload. Local consular corps has requested Mukden consular corps to ask Marshal Chang to give orders that party be permitted to proceed.
Tsai has telegraphed that date of his return to Harbin uncertain.”