Office of the Historian

793.94/2445: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]
Peiping, November 3, 1931—4 p.m.
[Received November 3—7:03 a.m.]

863. Legation’s 862, November 3, 3 p.m. The Consul General at Mukden on November 2, 5 p.m., reported the closing by Japanese of the Chinese electric light plant at Changchun; the Japanese plant is supplying current. He is reliably informed that the Japanese are installing a transformer leading to the old Chinese plant in Mukden, intending to close this and to furnish current from Fushun. These two cases, along with that at Antung, appear to indicate a plan to obtain a monopoly in South Manchuria of electric power.

For the Minister:
Engert