Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/4861: Telegram

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

Peiping, March 24, 1932—noon.
[Received March 24—1:55 a.m.]

369. Following from American Consul General [at] Harbin:

“March 23, noon.

1. Several hundred Japanese troops have reached [Anta?] on the west line of the Chinese Eastern Railway ostensibly to fight brigands there. The Japanese military mission has hired 40 local auto busses with Russian chauffeurs to transport Japanese troops from Harbin to be used in fighting brigands in the neighborhood of Imienpo on the eastern line along which old Kirin troops and brigands are giving considerable trouble.

2. Japanese military have not yet been able to arrange with the Soviet management of the railway for the transportation by train of more troops to the East.

3. Soviet management is still sending railway property into Siberia, where military preparations are continually being made.

4. If Japanese troops are posted near the frontier, clashes between them and Soviet patrols are likely to take place at some places such as at Manchouli where the boundary line is poorly defined.

5. Depredations by old Kirin troops and brigands, especially in the region east from Harbin, have practically stripped the country of livestock and seed, so this aside from fear will prevent many farmers from planting this spring.

6. A prominent Chinese official who attended the inauguration of Pu Yi at Changchun informed me that the cabinet of the new government cannot make any decision without the approval of the Japanese secretary attached to the cabinet.”

For the Minister:

Perkins