793.94/2501: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—1:30 a.m.]
877. Following two telegrams from Harbin:
“November 5, 10 a.m. 1. My telegram of November 4, 5 p.m.61 Local Japanese Consul General Ohashi telephoned me early this morning that a messenger who arrived this morning from Tsitsihar informed him that Japanese troops crossed Nonni River on November 3rd and 4th for reconnoitring purposes, that they were fired upon by Tsitsihar troops, the [that?] withdrawal order had been agreed upon but not carried out, that shots were exchanged, that the noise of an [Page 383] airplane had been heard at Angangki and that late at night at that place heavy artillery firing could be heard. Ohashi also said that the Japanese Consul at Tsitsihar had gone with a Chinese official to the scene of the fighting to stop the same, which appeared to be due to the failure of the Chinese troops in the advanced positions of two kilometers from the bridge to receive in time orders to withdraw.
[2.] Harbin Chinese radio station has just informed that it learned at 10 p.m. last evening that serious fighting commenced at 5 p.m. last evening between Tsitsihar troops and Japanese soldiers, the latter being supported by airplanes, which dropped bombs and caused many casualties among the Chinese soldiers.”
“November 5, 5 p.m. Local Chinese radio station has informed me that Tsitsihar troops have retreated from vicinity of Nonni River toward Tsitsihar.[”]