793.94/2688: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
108. Enclosed with a note dated November 11th, Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent (1) plans for the taking over occupied places in Manchuria, (2) regulations governing the organization of commission for the reoccupation of the evacuated territory of the northeast, and (3) a list of the members of the commission.
The plans include the inviting of the representatives of the different powers to cooperate. It is expected that these representatives will observe the working of the commission and remain in reoccupied places until they are sure that peace and order are effectively maintained. The best disciplined soldiers, gendarmes and police will be despatched by the Government to places to be taken over. Martial law is to be resorted to by the commission whenever necessary to protect life and property.
Special precautions are to be taken to ensure the safety of all Japanese nationals but the Japanese Government is expected to warn its nationals in the evacuated territory against taking any undesirable course of action. The regulations are for 17 articles. Under these regulations, and instructions from the National Government, the commission will arrange details in connection with the reoccupation and rehabilitation of the places in Manchuria now occupied by the Japanese. The commission is to be subdivided into the following sections: [Page 439]
- 1.
- Political, in charge of the taking over of the civil, financial, and industrial affairs of the evacuated places;
- 2.
- External affairs, in charge of consultations with the representatives appointed by the governments of the different countries, the arrangement of the details for the taking over of the evacuated places, and other matters related thereto;
- 3.
- Safety, in charge of the assignment and supervision of soldiers, gendarmes and police, and the maintenance of peace in the evacuated places; and,
- 4.
- Communications, in charge of railways, public roads, electrical communications and all other facilities for communication.
Chinese and foreign technical experts may be engaged to assist and make plans. In connection with the execution by the commission of the recommendations contained in the resolution of the League of Nations, the chairman of the commission requests invite the representatives appointed by the governments of the different countries to observe such execution. All facilities will be accorded to the representatives appointed by the governments of the different countries. The commission will record the proceedings of reoccupation and communicate, for reference, records of such proceedings to the representatives appointed by the governments of the different countries.
The regulations were promulgated by the National Government on November 7th, 1931.
Members of the commission same as listed in Nanking’s telegram November 3, 12 noon, to the American Minister at Shanghai and subsequently repeated by him to the Department.16