893.01 Manchuria/401: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—6:05 a.m.]
998. Following from American Consul General at Mukden,
“August 22, 5 p.m. A foreign passenger reports that on August 19th 200 bandits Paichipu on Fengtien-Shanhaikwan Railway rushed from cover of kaoliang and fired several volleys at short range into north-bound passenger train killing two persons. They escaped before guards could take effective measures. Due to the frequency of bandit attacks travel on this line considered unsafe at present.
All services suspended on Mukden-Hailung Railway and bandits occupy station towns Yinghan [Yingpan?] and Shantou. Bandit menace to Fushun, Anshan and Liaoyang regarded as serious. According to official sources there have been three attacks on South Manchuria Railway south of Mukden since the 20th.
According to a press report a Japanese armored train carrying to Nanling, in Jehol Province, special service officer Yoshioka for the purpose of negotiations with Jehol commander in regard to Ishimoto case was attacked by 200 Jehol soldiers near that point on August 19th. Soldiers dispersed and town occupied but evacuated next morning [Page 206] when Japanese retired to border. Local Japanese official quarters confirm this report but minimize its importance. In view of widespread banditry military operations in that region appear unlikely.”