793.94/1847: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23—10:20 a.m.]
632. Following unsigned but apparently from American Consul at Mukden:
“September 22, 9 a.m. Civil government in Mukden in process of organization along the following lines: Mayor will be a Japanese; the principal municipal departments will be under the joint control of Japanese and Chinese chiefs; all subordinate positions will be filled by Chinese. Doihara, formerly in Kuantung army, is to be Mayor of Mukden. Difficulty is being experienced in securing Chinese willing to participate. It is planned to have similar municipal governments in Antung, Newchwang, Changchun, Ssupingkai, and Kirin.
Occupation of Kirin city by Japanese was completed yesterday and the Chientao area is being similarly occupied. Japanese do not intend to send troops to Taonan and the Hsingan area, at least for the time being.
As all Chinese soldiers have moved out, the maintenance of order at Huangkutung, the present terminus of the Peiping-Mukden Railway, will probably necessitate Japanese occupation today or tomorrow.
Regular Japanese troops in occupation of Manchuria now number approximately 16,000, not including military police, train guards and civilian reserves under arms.”