793.94/6272: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—3:10 a.m.]
424. My 420, May 11, 1 p.m. Aeroplane marked with large circles on wings flew from the north over Peiping again this morning between 6 and 6:30 o’clock and was seen to drop large number of papers believedly propaganda handbills. Am seeking to obtain copy. Plane was heavily fired upon by Chinese machine guns and possibly antiaircraft guns since several heavier reports were heard during the plane’s flight, Chinese police deny that the plane dropped bombs as rumored. During its flight plane flew low directly over the Legation Quarter. Chinese press reports that after visit of plane yesterday Japanese Legation representative called at police substation seeking copies of leaflets dropped by plane and making inquiries as to effect of plane’s visit. Defence Commissioner, through native press, is urging populace not to be alarmed by the visit of plane and states that adequate defence measures have been taken by the military authorities.
Tokyo informed by mail.