761.93 Manchuria/135: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—11:20 a.m.]
215. Referring to my 210, July 30, 1 p.m.; and 212, August 1, 10 a.m., an official of the Japanese Embassy today stated that the following information has been received from Tokyo in regard to the [Page 461] incidents reported in the Soviet press and referred to in my telegrams under reference. According to this information, 10 Soviet soldiers on July 29 at 9:30 a.m. crossed the Manchurian frontier about 2 miles north of Lake Khazan and were repulsed by Japanese troops. The Japanese troops then withdrew behind the frontier but at 4 p.m., the Soviet forces again attacked with tanks and artillery and were again repulsed by the Japanese forces, who this time remained in the disputed area. On July 31st, the Soviet troops in the same area returned to the attack, supported by artillery fire and tanks, and, after a skirmish which lasted several hours, were thrown back by the Japanese troops. The Soviet losses were 60 killed and the Japanese 30 killed, and the Japanese captured 10 or 11 Soviet tanks. In connection with this engagement the Japanese forces on the same day occupied the town of Changkufeng, the original center of disturbances.
The official of the Japanese Embassy added that messages from Tokyo which he assumed were in relation to the foregoing developments had just reached the Embassy.