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

793.94/5614: Telegram

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

Peiping, November 20, 1932—midnight.
[Received November 20—6:58 a.m.]

1262. Legation’s 1253, November 16, 5 p.m. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:

“November 17, 11 a.m.

1. Soviet sources are responsible for report which I believe correct that General Su refuses to negotiate with Japanese-Manchukuo delegation now at Matsievskaya.

2. Japanese military will no doubt take action against him when sufficient troops arrive at Nonni River. Press reports that General Su’s anti-Manchukuo troops are falling back to the Hingan mountain range where there is Chinese Eastern Railway tunnel but this is not confirmed by local Japanese military.

3. Soviet officials claim their role simply one of offering facilities to negotiate to Japanese-Manchukuo and anti-Manchukuo sides and that they are otherwise not interested in negotiations except they desire not to have fighting near the Siberian border.

4. Japan-Manchukuo forces repulse attacks [by?] insurgents near Fuchin 13th and at Sansing 15th. Losses small.”

Johnson