793.94/1936: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 30—3:20 a.m.]
680. Following two telegrams from Mukden:
“September 29, noon. Swoop [?], Japanese edited Chinese paper, today reports that Chinese officials at a meeting at Kirin on the 26th decided to form a provisional government and elected Hsi Chia, the Chief of Staff and Acting Chairman, and [replacing?] Chang Tso-hsiang as Provisional Governor of the Province. Practically all other members of former commission have been elected as chief[s] of their [Page 93] respective bureaus. This Government will control civil, military, and judicial proceedings, full responsibility for the administration resting on the Governor.
The commission form of government prescribed by Nanking has been abandoned apparently. Report not yet confirmed.
Latest according to information some Japanese forces are still at Kirin.”
“September 29, 5 p.m. Three thousand Chinese police have been recruited for service Mukden, many of them armed. Japanese forces are now less in evidence in the city. In order to restore confidence it is understood that Japanese forces will not be withdrawn until there is assurance that the Chinese can keep order. Traffic on the Peiping-Mukden line south of Hsinmin was interrupted for 1 day following the wrecking of southbound passenger train by bandits on the 26th. The southbound train which left here yesterday morning returned from Hsinmin last night due to the menace from bandits. Until adequate protection will be afforded, travel on this section is hazardous.
The formation of the Kirin Government reported in my September 30 [29], noon, confirmed. Local Japanese press reports Chinese opposition to proposed establishment of provincial government at Chinchow and the existence of movement for the independence of Manchuria and Mongolia.”