793.94 Commission/569: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—1:25 a.m.]
1277. Following by mail from American Consul General at Harbin:
“November 27, 1 p.m. I am reliably informed that Japanese and Chinese representatives of Manchoukuo are forcing local Chinese and Russian merchants, publishers, teachers, students and others to sign petitions prepared at Hsinking and addressed to League of Nations protesting against Lytton report and praising Manchoukuo. It is still my opinion that the articulate Chinese population of North Manchuria is antagonistic to an independent Manchuria Government controlled by the Japanese. Although many local Russians were enthusiastic at first in regard to Japanese control they are now disillusioned because of Japanese failure to bring about peace and order and to accord them equal rights with Japanese and native residents here as promised by the Japanese”.