793.94/2648: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—8:30 a.m.]
926. Following from Harbin:
“November 12, 11 a.m. 1. The facts are fully established that two Japanese airplanes dropped on November 10th a score or more bombs on Ma’s positions at Sanchienfang and killed several Chinese soldiers and that some of General Chang’s troops commanded by Peng Fei, who is alleged to be secretly anti-Japanese, have reached Chinghsing, 20 miles south of Fularki on the Chinese Eastern Railway. Ma who has been recently appointed by Chang Hsueh-liang as acting vice commander of the Northeastern Army has sent troops against them to prevent their crossing the Chinese Eastern Railway line. The Chinese military claim that Japanese are with Peng’s troops. November 11th passed quietly in the region near the bridges and the panic in Tsitsihar city subsided somewhat.
2. Tenney telegraphed last evening from Tsitsihar Station that the American missionaries at Tsitsihar city are safe and well and that he was departing last evening for Manchuria Station.
3. There are rumors regarding so-called international troops composed of Buriats, Chinese and Koreans crossing from Siberia near Manchuria Station and Taheiho and arriving at Nonni front to aid Ma. Ohashi mentioned these to me and asked if I had a check on them. The Chinese officials deny the truth of these reports and I am inclined to believe they are fabrications. Travel over the road from Taheiho to Tsitsihar is very difficult at this time and will be until the country is frozen over.”
Repeated to Nanking.