Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

893.01 Manchuria/174: Telegram

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

Peiping, May 1, 1932—noon.
[Received May 1—1:46 a.m.]

489. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:

“April 30, 1 p.m.

1. Heilungkiang troops succeeded in withdrawing practically all Huhai Railway rolling stock north to Hailun. Traffic on that line has been suspended. Japanese troops are putting up defense works at Sungpu near Hulan terminus of railway.

2. Up to date, local authorities, inspired by Japanese have arrested over 100 alleged Communists. Soviet Consul General has vainly protested against these arrests, half of which, I am inclined to believe, are of a provocative nature. Japanese-inspired local press is stressing alleged exposure of communistic destructive plots and [sic] against the new state and the Japanese forces. It is possible that Japanese Government might protest to the Soviet Government that destruction of Japanese military train on April 13th was due to activity of Communists with headquarters at Habarovsk.

3. Conditions along eastern line of Chinese Eastern Railway are still deplorable, southern line bad, and western line liable to become bad.

4. Japanese military forces are being sent by steamer down Sungari River and more toward the east.”

For the Minister:

Perkins