793.94/3317: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—4:45 a.m.]
1126. Following from American Consul General at Mukden:
“December 23, 4 p.m. Spokesman for Japanese headquarters unofficially announced that Faku was captured yesterday afternoon. He intimated that a simultaneous westward drive against the bandits is taking place on a wide range extending from Changtu on the north to Yingkow on the south and that [apparent omission] Yingkow are moving northward along the Liao; Changtu, Kaiyuan, Tiehling, Mukden, Liaoyang and possibly Haicheng are the main points from which drive was launched. From Mukden and points north the drive started on the 21st and from points south today or yesterday. General Tamon is in charge. Local press today state[s] that antibandit campaign was started from Mukden and points on the 21st and that troops from Mukden moved west to Liao River by motor trucks.
This is apparently the largest operation yet undertaken.”