793.94/4542: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 3—7:28 a.m.]
299. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:
“March 2, 5 p.m. No. 26. Takigawa has informed me confidentially that negotiations between Ting Chao and Japanese military are progressing but slowly; that Ting had been told by the latter to come to Harbin 2 days ago but refused; that the Japanese nationals who evacuated to Harbin from the Eastern Line cannot go back and that 20,000 Koreans in that section are unable to continue their work on account of the dangerous conditions existing there; that therefore the Japanese command has decided to send three echelons of Japanese troops and one armored train east as far as Imienpo and possibly to Hailin tomorrow morning.
- 2.
- Soviet officials have stated that they have received no reports [Page 498] of disturbed conditions on the Eastern Line and that they understand the Japanese troops are going as far as Mulin.
- 3.
- Railway officials stated echelons will move east tonight for unknown destinations on trains placed at the disposal of, and orders of, the Japanese command and that conditions are quiet on the Eastern Line.”