893.01 Manchuria/477: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17—6:30 a.m.]
1107. Following from Lieutenant Brown, Mukden:
“Personally witnessed ceremonies simple as they were brief which marked recognition of Manchukuo by Japan, Thursday morning at Changchun. Japanese forces practically directing all activities attendant signing of the protocol. City resembled armed camp with traffic seriously restricted, Chinese populace failing to manifest even academic interest in the proceedings. Pu Yi most complacent Manchukuo [Page 257] official present, other Manchu and Mongol ministers with abject looks relegated to the background by the Japanese military atmosphere. Premier’s speech to press being entirely in Japanese.
General opinion of Manchukuo officials and their Japanese advisers is that recognition will now enable them to request additional troops and ‘favors’ from Japan as the protocol neither limits number or the distribution of the Japanese forces whose increase is expected to presage widespread activity along the railways where the situation without exception is now chaotic and allow them to proceed with various public and private developments also recognized by the protocol.”