Office of the Historian

793.94/1850: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, September 23, 1931—4 p.m.
[Received September 23—1:15 p.m.]

635. From Consul General at Harbin:

[“] September 22, noon. Late last evening unknown person threw bombs into Japanese Consulate, Japanese military mission building, Chosen bank and Japanese newspaper office; but little damage was done. Chinese civil officials very much disturbed and have appealed to the British Consul General and myself for advice. Chinese police so far have the situation in hand.

2.
Reports concerning Kirin city conflicting, but it appears to be intention of the Japanese troops moving toward city to occupy same if they have not already done so.
3.
Soviet troops are no doubt gathering at frontier points especially near Manchuria Station, but no evidence that they have moved into Chinese territory.”

Also September 22, 4 p.m.

  • “1. Local Chinese troops, some of whom have deserted, have been transferred from barracks to outskirts of Harbin, some to the Heilungkiang Province side of Sungari River. This is in preparation for withdrawal in case Japanese troops come to Harbin.
  • 2. Chinese officials at a meeting this morning decided to take stronger police measures to maintain order in the city.
  • 3. These officials and a portion of Chinese community becoming bitter against Soviet citizens and Soviet Government as they suspect an agreement between the latter and Japanese Government whereby Japan will receive Changchun-Harbin branch of the Chinese Eastern Railway and Soviet Government receive financial aid from Japan and compensation in North Manchuria. This may in part be true.
  • 4. Russian eyewitness states he saw young Chinese throw bomb into Japanese Consulate last night.
  • 5. A meeting of the interested consular service will be held this evening to discuss local situation.”
Johnson