793.94/3605: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—9:30 a.m.]
107. Following from Lieutenant Brown36 at Mukden:
“Preparations being made Tsitsihar for increase in Japanese forces there, commanding officer states necessary in order to clear bandits. Chinese forces recently brought there from the south now withdrawn. Control Koshan Railway reported purchased from directors by the Japanese for 2 million yen.
Through railway traffic operating Tsitsihar to Mukden via Taonan with a mixed Chinese-Japanese staff and equipment which it is planned to use competition channels. This line guarded by the Japanese and a new Chinese army, Meng Ning special army, Japanese equipped. Outstanding impression gained was the degree of understanding which has apparently been reached by the Japanese and Chinese military in that area.”
- Lt. Charles C. Brown, U.S.N., language officer of the Legation in China.↩