793.94/2198: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 18—4:40 a.m.]
787. Legation’s 779, October 16, noon.74 Captain Nimmer of Naval Attaché’s Office returned to Harbin from Manchouli and Tsitsihar yesterday and reports as follows, October 17, 3 p.m.:
Big crowds at Tsitsihar station yesterday awaiting opportunity to leave for points south. People in panic lest Japanese planes, three of [Page 227] which flew over that area on the afternoon of 15th, might bomb it and fear promiscuous firing from Tsitsihar garrison troops. Foreigners from Tsitsihar arrived at Harbin on same train as Captain Nimmer; Japanese and Koreans are leaving also. Officials at Angangki equally panic stricken.
General Chang of Taonan who has Japanese material and who was moving [on] Tsitsihar with 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers but is delayed by Tsitsihar troops who damaged Nonni River bridge, forcing Chang to halt indefinitely or to move 30 miles to another bridge.
Departure of Tsitsihar Japanese Consul75 and Japanese subjects has increased panic among Chinese officials for they interpret this as definite indication Chang will have support of Japanese bombing planes after he succeeds crossing the Nonni.
Captain Nimmer is of the opinion Chinese authorities doing all in their power to protect foreigners and especially Japanese, and rather than lose all to the Japanese or to their puppet Chinese generals, or to both, are actually prepared to turn this area into a Red reign of terror in order to enlist thereby foreign support.
He was given access to every place and official person and to put such questions as he pleased.
Captain Nimmer states that Hailar is peaceful on the surface but seething internally; troops unpaid for 5 months; general in command arrogant, unscrupulous and incompetent. Mr. Mamen, Norwegian subject, and his wife, an American, both residents Hailar and students, Mongolia, consider that situation there very tense. Captain Nimmer added that along the line of the Chinese Eastern Railway from Pogranichnaya to Manchouli above are the only affected areas they knew.
Telegraph and telephone communication with Tsitsihar city open but radio service discontinued because departing radio staff reported to have dismantled radio station when retreating Tsitsihar troops. I have sent urgent telegram this morning to Mr. Vos informing him Consulate General has reliable report situation at Tsitsihar dangerous and suggested that he, his wife, Miss MacCracken and Miss Huston, all American missionaries at Tsitsihar, should evacuate to Harbin soonest possible and adds that office informed their whereabouts and welfare. Mr. and Mrs. Mamen of Hailar, I am informed, are removing to Pokotu.
Japanese aeroplane flew over Harbin this morning.