861.77 Chinese Eastern/255: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:28 p.m.]
757. Following from American Consul at Nanking:
- 1.
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“August 22, 7 p.m. With reference to Sino-Russian military skirmishes now occurring, Wang has told me that ‘Russia is only [Page 301] bluffing, but we mean business’. Since Wang’s attitude must naturally be governed by military opinion [, it?] may indicate belief on the part of Chiang Kai-shih that Russia does not contemplate serious military action.
There is now a surprising slackness of public interest at Nanking concerning Manchurian crisis. Chinese officials here appear undisturbed.”
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“Aug. 21 [, noon?]. Wang informed me this morning that in response to inquiry through Berlin the Russian Government had denied issuance of orders leading to disturbances on the Sino-Russian frontier; that Russia had offered through Berlin to open negotiations for the settlement of Chinese Eastern Railway dispute upon the basis of gradual redemption by China of Russia’s share in railway covered by bond issue, provided Chinese would agree to immediate appointment of Russian railway manager. Wang said he had replied that Chinese would willingly negotiate for redemption of Russia’s share in Chinese Railway as well as agree to appointment of Russian railway manager.
Wang said that, while there were possibilities of coming in military conflict with Russia, he did not consider the danger of such chance to be imminent, that the Government had ordered 60,000 troops from Mukden to the proximity of the border as reserve for use in defense in the event of emergency, and that the troops which had been moved north for use against Feng Yu-hsiang were in readiness for action.”