893.00/12479: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:10 p.m.]
My September 29, 3 p.m. The three trains of armed police were turned back at Lwanchow by the Japanese military yesterday afternoon on the alleged grounds that they carried heavy machine guns and a light fieldpiece and on the further grounds that no information had been received from the Kwantung Army Headquarters indicating permission for them to enter the demilitarized zone. It is understood [Page 417] negotiations with the Japanese military authorities will be resumed with a view to again despatching the police to the bandit [area?].
Reverend Kautto and wife of Church of the Brethren mission at Taitowying arrived Tientsin today and report Taitowying thoroughly looted by about 1,000 armed bandits on 23d carrying off 200 men and women for ransom, 2 of whom were from mission compound. Many houses burned and local militia fled. Bandits stated they had instructions not to molest foreigners. Kautto’s 2 horses were seized but returned. Kauttos remaining here until situation clears.