Office of the Historian

793.94/3600: Telegram

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

Peiping, January 22, 1932—5 p.m.
[Received January 22—9:05 a.m.]

109. Following is summary of information from Lieutenant Brown at Harbin, January 15th:

1.
Atamen Semenoff in daily conference with Japanese authorities and with several Mongol princes at Mukden. Japanese are working among both White Russians and Mongols with a view to employing them later this year.
2.
Japanese troops in Manchuria consist of 7 full brigades of infantry, the 6 independent railway trains, cavalry, artillery, et cetera, in all about 30,000 regular troops.
3.
Japanese authorities at Harbin assert the existence of extensive Soviet propaganda in northern Manchuria detrimental to Japanese interests and claim that only the sternest of positive measures will succeed in stopping it. It is maintained that this is the most serious present menace to Japan especially by reason of the ability of the Soviets to purchase the assistance of Chinese of all classes. Japanese military state that their first task is to clear northern Manchuria of Chinese remnants and then eradicate all vestiges of bolshevist propaganda.
4.
Japanese believe that the recent plot against the Emperor was the result of Russian intrigue in Harbin which centered there and extended over China as far as Shanghai.
5.
At Manchouli conditions were quiet. People believe that the Japanese will come at least as far as the Hingan Range, and may possibly invade Soviet territory and that business will be better under their rule. Russians all believe that the Japanese are desirous of fighting them in which case the Russians would only act in self-defense. There is a difference of opinion whether a Japanese advance will come immediately in the spring or a year from now. It is agreed that Russians would not take the initiative even if possession of the Chinese Eastern Railway were at stake.
6.
Brown’s general impression is that if there is to be fighting between the two countries it will be Japan which forces the issue after indirectly attempting to provoke a Soviet initiative through Mongol and White Russian intrigue. In the spring Japan may move to the Hingan Range, in order to better direct this campaign of mercenaries on the border.

Johnson