793.94/2019: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 9—6:30 a.m.]
733. From Consul General at Mukden:
“October 8, 8 p.m. Ten Japanese airships bombarded Chinchow this noon. Japanese Commander in Chief, General Hsu [Honjo], despatched scout planes to Chinchow this afternoon which dropped leaflet containing statement by him as commander which is virtual ultimatum to Chinchow Government. He states that Chinchow Government is creation of Chang Hsueh-liang which is conducting intrigues in Manchuria inimical to Japanese forces; that military operation again was necessary and that it was not directed against Chinese civilians.”