Office of the Historian

793.94/4037: Telegram

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

Peiping, February 7, 1932—5 p.m.
[Received February 7—7:25 a.m.80]

207. Following from American Consul General at Harbin.

“February 6, 11 a.m.

1.
Chinese soldiers commenced to retreat from their position south of Harbin early yesterday morning, some of them passing in slight disorder through residential section, some retreated across the Sungari and others eastward, followed, it is believed, by Japanese detachments. Aside from slight looting in Fuchiatien, little damage was done and [Page 248] as far as is known six Russians were killed and a few wounded by them. No Americans nor other noncombatant Russian foreigners injured, and no complaints have been received by this office concerning American property losses suffered. About 500 Chinese soldiers were wounded in the 2 days’ fighting.
2.
The Japanese troops commenced to enter Harbin at 1 p.m., without meeting any resistance, Fuchiatien was occupied by them at 3 o’clock, and General Tamon with the main force entered at 6 o’clock.
Total force estimated at 5,000 fully equipped while Chinese, poorly equipped, numbered about 15,000.
3.
Japanese military mission with Dohihara as head in control of wireless station, land telegraphs and telephone systems but after representations by me Ohashi informed me that he arranged with the Japanese commander to permit the filing of foreign official and commercial telegrams. No telegram in the Chinese language can be sent. Postal service so far has not been molested.
4.
Despite assurances of Ohashi that Japanese troops were coming to Harbin solely to protect Japanese and their property, all local Chinese official institutions are under Japanese military control.
5.
Traffic has been restored on the southern line of the Chinese Eastern Railway, the eastern line is functioning normally and the western line will soon be repaired.
6.
Attitude of the Chinese populace might be described as sullen and [contrary to? that of some of the White Russians.”
[For the Minister:]
Perkins
  1. Telegram in two sections.↩