740.00116 Pacific War/23
The Chinese Ambassador (Hu Shih) to the
Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and
has the honor to submit, on instructions from his Government, the text of a
telegram received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated April 6, 1942,
Chungking, which discloses definite information concerning the spreading of
bacterial warfare in China by the armed forces of Japan.
In addition to the information contained in the telegram, there is being sent
by air mail from Chungking a complete report giving full details on this
subject. When this report is received, the Ambassador will forward a copy to
the Secretary of State.
Washington
, April 7,
1942.
[Enclosure]
Following is the text of a telegram received from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, dated April 6, 1942, Chungking:
“National Health Administration Director-General Dr. P. Z. King’s
statement on Japanese attempt at bacterial warfare against China
and reports submitted by Chinese and foreign medical experts
definitely prove that at least on five occasions Japan has
resorted to ruthless bacterial warfare on China.
“In the first instance, a quantity of wheat grains was dropped by
Japanese planes over Ningpo on October 27th, 1940. An epidemic
broke out soon after and lasted thirty-four days claiming
ninety-nine victims. Diagnosis of plague was definitely
confirmed in laboratory test. On October 4th, 1940, a Japanese
plane scattered rice and wheat grains and fleas over Chusien,
Chekiang. Bubonic plague appeared thirty-eight days later
causing twenty-one deaths. Kinghwa was attacked by three
Japanese planes on November 18th, 1940, dropping a large
quantity of translucent granules like shrimp-eggs. Microscopic
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examination revealed
the presence of plague bacilli though no epidemic resulted. On
November 4, 1941, a Japanese plane visited Changteh, Hunan,
dropping rice, paper and cotton wads on which bacilli were
found. Later nine cases of plague were reported. Numerous
circumstantial evidences including infected rats proved beyond
doubt the origin of the epidemic. Lastly, a serious attack of
plague has broken out in Suiyuan, Ninghsia, and Shensi. Six
hundred cases were reported. A recent communiqué from local
military authorities stated that a large number of sick rodents
was set free by the enemy there.”
Washington, April 7, 1942.
