793.94/1822: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 22—10 a.m.]
157. My 155, September 21, 10 a.m. I am informed that (1) four thousand troops from Chosen have been sent to Mukden and (2) one brigade has been sent from Changchun to Kirin at the request of the Japanese residents there. The Government states orally that there have been no disturbances in any of the occupied areas in the past two days. The Chientao region is not occupied by Japanese troops, I understand.
The occupation of so large an area seems out of proportion to the alleged cause. The military undoubtedly had detailed plans like every army for every contingency they could think of. It seems probable that the incident referred to was seized upon by the Army authorities and the whole area occupied as a military measure to force a general liquidation of outstanding issues.
I am inclined to think that the Foreign Office and perhaps other branches of the Government here have been genuinely surprised by the action of the Army at this time.
Repeated to Peiping.