793.94/9892: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

506. The Consulate General at Mukden reports in despatch No. 144, August 31 that

(1)
Manchukuo Peace Preservation Corps announced the killing of a Japanese major general August 21 and of a Chinese major general and about 20 other officers and men August 17th when engaging Chinese troops near the Jehol-Chahar border;
(2)
Well-informed sources claim that several thousand Manchukuo Peace Preservation Corps troops who mutinied about August 20 were responsible for the above-mentioned killings and that the troops subsequently joined Chinese forces;
(3)
The Consulate General and other foreign observers believe the mutiny actually occurred;
(4)
About 1,000 men of the same detachment who were still in barracks 7 miles east of Mukden mutinied August 26, reportedly killed their Japanese officers and then decamped;
(5)
The Consulate General has been informed that Manchukuo troops (less than one brigade) stationed 3 miles north of Mukden mutinied August 28, killed their officers and decamped;
[(6?)]
A Manchukuo garrison at Weichang between Chengte and Dolonor is reported to have mutinied early in August and gone to Chahar;
(7)
The mutinies must arouse grave doubts in the minds of the Japanese military as to the utility of native troops which number approximately 150,000; and
(8)
If the Japanese attempt to disarm them the native troops may be expected in most cases to revolt and if they are permitted to retain their arms they may be expected to mutiny when the Japanese show signs of weakness or preoccupation in a crisis.
Lockhart