793.94/3168: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—12:10 p.m.]
1069. Following from Military Attaché at Chinchow.
“December 10, 6 p.m. Japanese aircraft attempted destruction section of the railway between Panshan and Yingkou December 9th. Observers inspected line today, found that air torpedoes had been dropped, 17 of which exploded. Craters averaged 10 feet wide, 15 deep, the 1 dud which was found on track weighed 150 pounds. It is not understood why Japanese utilized such a powerful means to destroy railway not now open to traffic. P. M. Railroad80 traffic not on regular schedule owing to unsettled conditions; trains leave when they can get clearance and because of this observers did not go Hsinmin today as reported.”
Repeated to Department and Nanking.
- Peiping-Mukden Railway.↩