861.77 Chinese Eastern/404: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
915. Department’s 337, October 17, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- The following extracts are quoted from despatch number 2036 of
October 5, addressed to the Legation by the American Consul at
Harbin, with regard to the Chinese internment camp for Soviet
Russians. Copies of this despatch were transmitted direct to the
Department from Harbin:99
“Judging by Mr. Lilliestrom’s report and remarks and by what 1 saw and heard, considerable improvement had been made at the camp recently. The prisoners complained about the cold, rightly so, the lack of ventilation, lack of baths, no[n-] communication with the outside, and the restraint in regard to the use of the privies. They had [Page 332] no complaints to make in regard to food, to crowding, and to beatings as formerly.
I could find no evidence of cruel treatment, systematic or otherwise, on the part of the Chinese toward the prisoners. Efforts appeared to have been made to meet the reasonable requirements of the inmates. The latter did not look weak or emaciated.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Chinese officers [officials] spoke very bitterly against the way in which they claimed Chinese prisoners in Siberia were being treated. While at Harbin they were attempting to treat the Russians detained with consideration, the Soviet side was subjecting Chinese to all manner of indignities.
In conclusion, I might add that the impression I received at the camp was a fairly favorable one. I shall not discuss the question as to whether the detaining of the [these] people is legal or illegal, just or unjust. The superintendent has received orders to restrain the liberty of certain persons delivered to him. He considers them prisoners. To be locked up as a prisoner is unpleasant. These people are being treated much better than prisoners in the ordinary Chinese jail and similarly as in the prison at Harbin, which is run along the lines of a Russian prison.
Aside from the fact that they did not keep out of hearing distance when I talked with the prisoners, a point I could not very well insist upon, the Chinese authorities appeared pleased to have me make this visit and acted as if they had nothing to be ashamed of in connection with their treatment of those detained.”
- 2.
- It is suggested that the Department refrain from releasing information previously received from the Consul at Harbin pending receipt of the despatch above mentioned. In view of the nature of Hanson’s report, it is evident that the Chinese are treating the Russian prisoners in question with more consideration than they ordinarily give to Chinese prisoners. It therefore seems to me that were the Department to try to bring pressure on the Chinese with regard to a case in which they appear to be endeavoring to live up to standards somewhat higher than their own in dealing with their own people, we should expose ourselves to the chargé of attempting unfairly to exploit the situation with the object of justifying the position taken in our note of August 10th to the Chinese Government stating our unwillingness to abandon extraterritoriality under conditions now prevailing in China.1
- 3.
- The question with regard to the identity of the “concentration camp” and the “prisoners camp” is being referred to the Consul at Harbin.