793.94/2419: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
Geneva, November 1, 1931—9
a.m.
[Received 10:35 a.m.]
[Received 10:35 a.m.]
271. The essential points of a letter dated October 30 from Sze to Drummond are as follows:
- (1)
- The Chinese Government is gravely concerned by the multiplying evidence of the illegal Japanese occupation of Manchuria being employed to organize so-called independence movements through destruction of all civil authorities and the substitution of administrations which are subservient to Japanese orders.
- (2)
- On October 28 the Chinese Government telegraphed Sze the most recent illustration of this policy as follows: Japanese induced Magistrate Chao Tseh-min of Hwaitehhsien to visit Kungchuling on the South Manchuria Railway. At that place a party of Japanese attempted to force his signature to an undertaking promising to declare independence and to organize a peace-preservation committee like the one established already at Lishuhsien. When he refused, the Japanese assaulted him, demanded a payment of 200,000 yen, and incarcerated him in the Japanese Club. There also were other Chinese who had experienced similar ordeals. Finally the magistrate secured his release on the pretext of consulting public opinion in his town. He says he will continue resistance should further efforts be made.
- (3)
- The Chinese Government learned the foregoing directly from an escaped subordinate Chinese official. It should be kept strictly confidential, especially as to localities and names, since the magistrate’s life will be in jeopardy if the source of the report should be traced.
- (4)
- The above is merely one typical example of what is transpiring at present in Manchuria.
Gilbert