793.94/2775: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
963. Following from Harbin:
“November 18, noon. 1. According to all reports, yesterday passed without any serious attacks by Japanese or Chinese troops on the Nonni River front.
2. Ohashi informed me last night that Chinese representatives of General Ma had informed local representatives of Honjo that his written reply to the Japanese ultimatum of November 15th would not be delivered but that he would comply with the Japanese Consulate demands on the condition that the Japanese troops would simultaneously withdraw with the Chinese, that the Heilungkiang Provincial authorities reserve the right to keep troops south of the Chinese Eastern Railway line in the case of bandit activities there and that in case normal traffic would be restored on the Taoang Railway, the troops of General Chang Hai-peng would not be allowed to use the zone. Ohashi reminds me that this is construed by the Japanese side to be a refusal to accept the terms of the ultimatum and added that on November 16th the Japanese War Office gave out in Tokyo a statement to the effect that it was dissatisfied with Ma’s attitude and that the threatening attitude of his troops might make it necessary for the Japanese to clear them away from Tsitsihar and vicinity as a matter of safety. Local Chinese officials confirm the failure of Ma to give a written answer to the ultimatum and attentions, that civil administrator Chang51 (who is suspected of being pro-Japanese) and Ma could not agree until late last night upon the wording of the written reply which Chinese officials state will arrive in Harbin this morning. Japanese side becoming impatient in regard to dilatory talk of Chinese, who are playing for time.
3. During the last few days weather has become very cold and it is expected that in a few days Nonni River and swampy land nearby will freeze over solid. This would facilitate crossing the river and transport on land, but handicap fighting of soldiers of both sides, but more especially the Japanese who can only be supplied via Taonan.
4. Local Commissioner of Foreign Affairs has confirmed to this office the press report that the provincial government for Kirin Province [Page 488] was established on November 11th at Pinhsien, 30 miles east of Harbin and a short distance south of the Sungari River with Cheng Jun, former chief of the Bureau of Civil Affairs at Kirin, appointed as Acting Chairman during the absence of Chang Tso-hsiang. All the laws and orders issued by the Central Government and the Kirin Provincial Government before September 21st are still in force. Kirin ex-officials did not take this step formerly because they feared bombing by Japanese airplanes. Evidently Ma’s resistance to Japanese has encouraged them in this step.
5. Following is a translation of radiogram sent by General Ma at Tsitsihar to General Chiang Kai-shek at Nanking handed to this Consulate General by local Chinese radio station:
‘November 18, 10 a.m. The Japanese troops started general offensive at 4 o’clock today with heavy artillery and 6 aeroplanes dropping bombs. Fighting has been very serious. Please appeal to the League of Nations to have the hostilities stopped.’
Ohashi has just informed me that he believes this report to be true and that situation at Nonni front is serious.”
Repeated to Nanking.