793.94 Commission/289

The Consul General at Mukden (Myers) to the Secretary of State

No. 471

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report regarding the second and third visits made by the League of Nations Commission of Inquiry at Mukden following the completion of a nineteen day tour in the North.

Coming from Harbin by rail, the Commission reached Mukden at 10:00 p.m., May 21st, being welcomed in a similar though less elaborate manner than that which marked their first appearance here. Remaining for four days, they left in the evening of the 25th for a brief stay in the Kwantung Leased Territory and again returned to Mukden the evening of the 30th.

A detailed record of the Commission’s activities while at Mukden is enclosed.48 As will be noted therefrom, the formal inquiry activities of the Commission as a body consisted of three interviews with the Japanese Consular Authorities, visits to the Anshan Iron Works and Fushun Colliery, and interviews with Lieutenant-General Honjo, representatives of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and an interview with General Tsang Shih-yi, Governor of Fengtien Province. The news items in regard to these activities published in the Manchuria Daily News of Dairen are enclosed.49

It is interesting to note that during their last two visits here the members of the Commission, while very adequately “protected”, were not subjected to the constant irritating surveillance previously accorded them as described in this office’s despatch No. 464 of May 3, 1932. The change in this respect was very marked and, needless to say, greatly appreciated.

The Commission departed from Mukden on June 3rd, leaving by rail for Peiping at 6:30 a.m. In spite of this early hour, a large number of prominent officials saw them off, including incidentally the Soviet Consular Staff.

As previously this office did its utmost to be of every possible assistance to General McCoy, the American Commissioner, and both he and his American assistants, Dr. Blakeslee and Lieutenant Biddle, were frequent visitors at the Consulate General. They were my personal guests at several social functions given in their honor and were also entertained by members of my staff.

Respectfully yours,

M. S. Myers
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not reprinted.