793.94/3445
The Chinese Chargé (Yen) to the
Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
Washington, December 29, 1931.
My Dear Dr. Hornbeck: Dr. W. W. Yen wishes to
enclose to you for the information of the State Department three copies
of a cable which has just been received.
Yours sincerely,
[Enclosure—Telegram—Translation]
The Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to the Chinese
Legation
Nanking, December 29,
1931.
The Peiping-Liaoning (Peking-Mukden) Railway Administration reported
that the Japanese garrison commander of the Tientsin area had
requested by letter that the railway administration prepare three
military trains for transporting from Tangku to Tientsin of about 70
Japanese officers, 1900 soldiers, 160 horses and 4 cannon. The
Special Diplomatic Commission (Nanking) is of the opinion that
Article 9 of the Protocol of 190110
provides only for the maintenance of open communication between
Peiping and the sea; at present there is no danger of such
communication being obstructed; besides, according to Article 1 of
the Railway Regulations, there are certain restrictions concerning
the transportation of foreign troops by rail between Shanhaikwan and
Peiping; we are, therefore, under no obligation to comply with the
Japanese request. Accordingly this Ministry telegraphed to the said
railway administration to categorically refuse to transport such men
and war materials over the line. It has now been reported that the
Japanese military authorities have compelled the railway
administration to carry out such transportation to Tientsin. This
matter has an intimate connection with the Chinchow question and
affects most seriously the peace and order of North China. The
Japanese are intentionally violating the Council Resolution of the
League. The responsibility must, therefore, lie on Japan for
whatever consequences such an act will entail.
