793.94/5692: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 6—1:58 a.m.]
18. Following from American Consul General at Mukden:
[“]January 5, 5 p.m. The spokesman of the Kwantung Army stated that fighting ceased on the evening of January 3d and that Japanese and Chinese forces are guarding the east and west sides respectively on the Shih River the bridge over which was destroyed by the Chinese. He further reported concentration of three Chinese divisions in that vicinity.
The Kwantung Army has taken charge of the operations at Shanhaikwan. Total Japanese casualties according to the spokesman are 15 killed, 99 wounded.
According to reliable source Kwantung Army headquarters are anxious to localize the incident and to arrange a settlement of it with Ho Chu-kuo who is reported to be in Chinwangtao. General Itagaki18 is believed to have left for Tientsin to secure adherence Tientsin [Page 15] Japanese Commander to above policy. A peaceful settlement would appear dependent upon attitude of the Chinese and the absence of further serious incidents.”
- Maj. Gen, Seishiro Itagaki, chief, Japanese military mission at Mukden.↩