793.94/2526: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
884. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:
“November 6, 1 p.m. 1. Chao Chung-jen, who is Secretary of State [sic] Heilungkiang Provincial Government, who was formerly Taoyin at Hailar and whom I have known for many years, arrived from Tsitsihar yesterday, called on local Japanese Consul General last night to arrange if possible a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Tsitsihar and Japanese troops and called on me this morning for a suggestion in regard to how to end this conflict.
2. The following is Chao’s version of their clash:
‘The first line defense of the Heilungkiang troops is along the fairly high bluff over 5 miles from the main bridge across the Nonni River and to the east of the Taoang Railway Station at Tashing. Here about 2,000 Chinese soldiers with artillery had dug themselves in. (I myself observed this position and these soldiers on November 1st. G. C. H[anson])
Moro [Near?] Tashing is a wooden bridge, which had been slightly damaged by Heilungkiang soldiers. Farther south is another wooden trestle bridge which was intact, and still farther south another which had been entirely burned by Heilunkiang troops. About a mile from this bridge is the large bridge across the Nonni, one or two spans of which had been destroyed by the Heilungkiang troops. Just beyond the burned bridge was a train of one cold locomotive and two cars which were occupied by an advance guard of about 20 Heilungkiang soldiers (I saw these bridges, train and advance guard November 1st. G. C. H.). On November 3rd Japanese troops approached at the southern end of the main bridge. Next morning some of them crossed the river. Chinese advance guard fell back toward the front line position but three were disarmed and made prisoners by the Japanese, who claimed that the Heilungkiang troops should have moved back north 10 kilometres from the first bridge to the above, while the Chinese claim 10 kilometre limit was north from the main bridge. Several hundred Japanese soldiers advanced toward the Heilungkiang troops and ordered the latter to retire. Upon meeting a refusal because the Heilungkiang troops were not anxious to leave their trenches to retire across open country possibility [possibly?] under Japanese fire, the Japanese troops attacked them with rifle and artillery fire, bombs from airplanes and the Heilungkiang troops replied. Fighting continued during all day of the 4th and 5th, stopping this morning.
Heilungkiang army has a limited supply of ammunition and do not expect any help from Soviet Russia. Therefore, it could not expect to hold out against the Japanese Army which can be endlessly supplied through Taonan. Local Japanese Consul General stated that the only solution of the problem was for General Ma, who was being held responsible for the killing of Japanese troops in the last 2 days’ battle, to resign, otherwise the Japanese would not cease fighting. A report of this was made to Tsitsihar last evening and another visit would be made to the Japanese Consul General this morning.’
I am inclined to believe the above is a fairly correct report of the incident.
Alarming rumors are current to the effect that the Chinese troops from other parts of North Manchuria including Harbin are concentrating near Tsitsihar and that they expect Soviet Russian support, such as munitions and a Soviet guard for the Chinese Eastern Railway.
Ohashi, the local Japanese Consul General, attempted yesterday at lunch to impress on me and Hallett Abend, correspondent of the [“New [Page 392] York Times”], who is here and expects to leave for Tsitsihar this afternoon, the existence of Soviet support to General Ma, who without this support or assurances of the same would not have resisted the Japanese troops. He also tried to persuade Abend not to go to Tsitsihar but to Manchuria Station at the present time, alleging that situation at former place is dangerous.
It is Japanese Consul General’s personal opinion that the present clash in Manchuria is merely Japanese preparation for a greater clash with Soviet Russia later on.
There are persistent rumors that Japanese troops are being withdrawn from Kirin city and Changchun and departed via Taonanfu to point to [to reinforce?] troops at the Nonni River.
Chinese Eastern Railway district engineer Hsu, stationed at Tsitsihar station of this railway, has just reported to Kuo, Chinese assistant manager, that 4,000 of General Chang Hai-peng’s troops had crossed the Nonni and are now engaged in fighting with the Heilungkiang forces, which have surrounded 2,000 of the enemy.
Reports from Tsitsihar city indicate that wealthy Chinese citizens are leaving that city, where there are four American missionaries (Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Vos, 52 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey; Miss Reba Huston, Blanchard, Iowa; Miss Lillian L. McCracken, Beaver County, Pennsylvania), but conditions there are not dangerous. The missionaries have been requested by me to prepare to withdraw to Harbin in case the situation becomes dangerous. Reports on Tsitsihar station indicate that Japanese and Koreans in that region have practically all withdrawn and that Chinese residents are fearful of being robbed by the Chinese troops, which so far have behaved well. Telephone report just received from Hailar states all quiet there.”
To Shanghai by mail.
- Telegram in five sections.↩