893.01 Manchuria/761
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation51
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed yesterday a vigorous note to Mr. Ariyoshi protesting against the wholesale massacre of the Chinese farm people at Fushan by Japanese troops and at the same [Page 396] time refuting the Japanese note of November 26th which attempted to deny the press reports of the said massacre.
After stating that the Government is in receipt of many authenticated reports of the Fushan carnage in which no less than 2700 persons, men and women, old and young, including even infants, fell victims, the Chinese note declares: “There are incontrovertible evidences which cannot be summarily dismissed by a mere statement of denial”.
The note further recalls the illegal occupation of the Three Eastern Provinces by Japanese troops, their unprovoked hostilities at Shanghai, and their wanton destruction occurring almost every day of the Chinese life and property and declares that “such cruelty shown by the Japanese soldiery in their methodical performance of the present massacre has not only called forth the greatest indignation of the Chinese people but also has shocked the conscience of the whole world.”
Referring to the statement contained in the Japanese note to the effect that the publication of the unfounded report of the Fushan massacre is a serious reflection upon the good name of the Japanese Imperial Army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ note says:
“In the opinion of the Chinese Government the Japanese Government could have done much to uphold the reputation of the Japanese Imperial Army by enforcing its discipline from the very beginning and by ordering at this moment the complete evacuation of the Three Eastern Provinces and restoration of the same to the National Government of China.”
The note concludes with the statement that since there are incontrovertible evidences showing a wholesale massacre has been perpetrated by Japanese soldiers in the villages near Fushan the Chinese Government not only cannot accept the statement of denial contained in the Japanese note but also takes this occasion to lodge a strong protest with the Japanese Government while reserving in the meantime all claims thereunder.
- Copy of telegram transmitted to the Department by the Chinese Legation, December 8, 1932.↩