Historical Documents - Office of the Historian

“1. Arrived Newchwang (Yingkow) yesterday at 5:30 p.m.

2. Japanese Consul Arakawa and Lieutenant Colonel Iwata, Commander of troops at Tashihchao and Newchwang, informed us that three companies of Japanese troops came to Newchwang on September 19th at 5:30 a.m.; disarmed unresisting 800 Chinese police and 300 of 500 regular Chinese troops stationed in the city (the remaining 200, having been out of the city pursuing brigands, did not return); took over Chinese telegraph and telephone offices, Peiping-Mukden Railway station across the Liao River from Newchwang and cut this railway line at a point 1,200 meters beyond the station. The 300 disarmed troops were paid 2 yen a person and [sent?] away. The colonel stated that troops did not come to protect the 2,500 Japanese residents, as there had been no anti-Japanese feeling among the Chinese, but to dissipate the military forces of Chang Hsueh-Tiang, who had been acting in an outrageous manner against the Japanese, and to break his power in Manchuria. He added that the Japanese had attacked the Chinese soldiers at Changchun for the same reason. He also said that this was not war but simply disarming and sending away the enemy.

3. This morning with the Colonel we visited the Peiping-Mukden Railway station which was deserted with the exception of the guard of 12 Japanese soldiers. A Japanese flag flew over this station and the Japanese had built trenches across the tracks to defend the station.

4. We next inspected with the Colonel Chinese barracks in the city which were occupied by 24 Japanese soldiers with two 4-inch pieces and which contained about 500 rifles taken from Chinese soldiers, 3 trench mortars, many boxes of ammunition and other military equipment. A Japanese flag was flying over these barracks which were in the native city.

5. After awhile, among others, we conversed with the British Consul Bristow, Chief of Police Pai and Magistrate Yang, all of whom confirmed the Japanese version of the capture of Newchwang; the British Consul stated that the entire city was controlled by the Japanese [Page 223] military, who issued orders to the Chinese officials and who prevented the latter from getting in touch with the Chinese officials outside of Newchwang. He added that, if the Japanese troops were withdrawn now, there would be extreme danger of brigand attacks.

6. Pai stated to us that as soon as the Japanese troops arrived he arranged with the Japanese commander to allow Chinese police to be rearmed and function under him, subject to Japanese orders. He added that all other Government institutions and banks were under Japanese military control. The Chinese wireless station had been dismantled by the Japanese.

7. Magistrate Yang informed us that 40 Japanese soldiers forced their way into his yamen on September 19th and occupied it for 22 days. During this time he was under house arrest in a small room and was permitted to go out only under armed guard. His statements were confirmed by the British Consul. He complained that the Japanese soldiers destroyed many of his records and stole the furniture and fixtures of the yamen, which appeared to have been looted just prior to our inspection of the premises. He was in a highly nervous state. He stated that the Japanese Consul and military [apparent omission] gave him no reason for his arrest or the occupancy of his official premises.

8. We found Newchwang and the Peiping and Mukden Railway terminal opposite under control of the Japanese military who supervise closely the work of the Chinese officials. If they really had desired solely to protect the Japanese residents, their troops could have arrived and stayed in the large Japanese concession. We believe that, if the Japanese troops had not been sent, neither the Japanese nor Korean residents would have been in danger. However, if the Japanese troops are now withdrawn without making adequate provision for raising and arming a Chinese defense force or allowing Chinese troops now stationed at Koupangtze to enter Newchwang, the city would be in danger of brigand attacks. Although the Japanese have withdrawn 200 soldiers they have shown no inclination to withdraw all their troops from Newchwang. Lieutenant Colonel Iwata, in reply to a direct question, stated that the troops would be withdrawn when ordered. This withdrawal of a portion of troops has no significance as the Chinese are so thoroughly cowed that the presence of a handful of Japanese soldiers is sufficient to exercise complete control over Newchwang and its Chinese population.

9. The thinking Chinese at Newchwang are strongly opposed to the presence there of Japanese troops, who, they urge, should settle at and with Mukden the dispute arising from the clash between Japanese and Chinese troops at that place, the dispute being of no concern to the Chinese at Newchwang.

10. Lieutenant Colonel Iwata informed us that on September 29th–30th, when Chinese ex-soldiers were planning an attack on the real Newchwang, some distance up the Liao River from Yingkou, an airplane was sent to that place and, dropping 2 or 3 bombs, frightened the Chinese ex-soldiers away and thus prevented harm to the village where 30 Japanese resided.”

Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1931, The Far East, Volume III

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State