793.94/5045: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State
Peiping, April 14, 1932—11
a.m.
[Received April 14—12:30 a.m.]
[Received April 14—12:30 a.m.]
435. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:
“April 13, noon.
- 1.
- At 10:30 p.m., April 12, a Japanese military train, carrying a motorcar detachment and ammunition and consisting of locomotive, [Page 693] one passenger and several converted freight cars, when passing over a bridge 10 miles [apparent omission] on its way to Harbin over the Eastern Line [of] the Chinese [Eastern] Railway, ran into explosives placed on the tracks, according to the version of Soviet railway officials, or derailed due to the previous removal of bolts from rails, according to the Japanese version. The locomotive and 4 cars toppled down the embankment, the passenger, 4 freight and 11 fiat cars were destroyed, 1 officer and 10 privates perished in the flames, about 50 privates were severely injured and 11 automobiles destroyed. Railway officials state that this is the most serious catastrophe on the line in Japanese history. Identity of guilty still unknown.
- 2.
- Three sticks of dynamite with dry battery attached were discovered last night on same Eastern Line 2 miles from old Harbin.”
“April 13, 3 p.m.
- 1.
- In an interview with the press yesterday General Tamon stated that Japanese troops would not take part in operations to clear the east line of the railway of undesirable elements but if the new Kirin troops prove unequal to the task the Japanese command would take action, that Japanese efforts to clear the district near the Siberian-Korean frontier were hampered by the unwillingness of the railway to place at the disposal of the Japanese military the necessary number of echelons for moving troops to the Eastern frontier, and that-in order to eliminate banditry in Manchuria large numbers of troops and 2 or 3 years’ time are required.
- 2.
- It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Japanese military will have more difficulty than they anticipated in clearing North Manchuria of Chinese irregular soldiers and bandits.”
For the Minister:
Perkins