793.94/2467: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to
the Secretary of State
Peiping,
November 4,
1931—noon.
[Received November 4—9:20 a.m.
50]
870. Legation’s 867, November 4, 9 a.m. Following is continuation of
Harbin’s November 3, 5 p.m., dated November 3, 12 a.m., just received:
- “(3) The Japanese Consul at Tsitsihar, Shigimidzu [Shimizu?], and a Japanese colonel
(Chinese name “Lin”) representing General Honjo, acting
under instructions of the Japanese Government and Honjo,
have informed Tsitsihar authorities, who already started to
repair damaged bridges north of Nonni River, that the South
Manchuria Railway Company, which has a financial interest in
the Tao-Ang Railway51 and which desires to
facilitate the movement of the bean crop over this and the
South Manchuria Railway lines, desired to repair these
destroyed bridges. According to General Ma, the Colonel
stated that the South Manchuria Railway would commence
repairs on November 4th, protected by 100 Japanese troops if
necessary.
- (4) Last night; General Ma gave me a copy in Chinese of
the memorandum which he stated Colonel Lin left with the
Commissioner of Foreign Affairs yesterday morning.
- This memorandum states that the Chinese troops on both
sides shall be withdrawn 10 kilometres to the north and
south from the bridge and during the period when the bridges
are being repaired no troops of either shall be allowed to
enter the region so set off between the two sides. The time
when it is expected that the repair work will be finished
shall be reported in advance to both sides. Refusal to
accept the demands or any interference with the repair work
will be considered as a hostile act toward the Japanese
troops, in which case Japan will use military force.
- (4) [sic] Although I am not
positive that Colonel Lin handed such a memorandum to the
Chinese authorities, circumstances are such that there
appears much truth in the Chinese contention. General Ma
said that his troops are outside of 10–kilometre zone, that
he would not resist the Japanese attempt to repair the
bridges nor the Japanese troops, but that he would resist
any attempt of Chang’s troops to cross the bridge after
repairs had been made. He feared that the Japanese troops
would get behind Chang’s troops and force them over the
bridge, causing a fight in which Japanese troops would be
involved.
- (5) Local Chinese wireless station states that it has
received reports which confirm Ma’s reports that about 800
Japanese soldiers have
[Page 366]
arrived at Taonanfu and adds that a
Japanese armored train is now moving over the Tao-Ang line
and approaching the bridge over the Nonni River.”
United Press reports from Geneva current here today that Japanese forces
have occupied Tsitsihar are incorrect.
Repeated to Shanghai.
