393.71/113: Telegram

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

399. Following from American Consul General, Harbin:

“April 1, 1 p.m.

1.
A Chinese, accompanied by a Japanese adviser named Tanaka (representative of the new government) this morning called with a police escort upon the local Post Office Commissioner Smith, handed to him a communication from the Department of Foreign Affairs at Changchun stating that on April 1st the new government was taking over the postal service in Manchuria, and demanded that Smith hand over charge of his office to the visitors. Smith replied that he must receive instructions from the [postal] directorate before taking any action, but that the visitors could look at his stamp balance. He is to confer with them again this afternoon.
2.
This action on the part of the new government will have grave consequences and the latter should be called to the attention of the [Page 658] Japanese Government whose agents have instigated the new state officials to take this action.”

For the Minister:
Perkins