793.94/3166: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—10:25 a.m.]
1066. Following from American Consul General at Harbin:
“December 9, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- Reports of foreign, Chinese and Japanese correspondents
who accompanied Japanese mission, headed by Colonel Itagaki,
Honjo’s staff officer, which called on General Ma at Hailun
at 12 p.m. on December 7th, are substantially as follows:
[Page 675]
‘There were present at the interview General Ma, General Hsieh (Ma’s Chief of Staff), Secretary Chao, four Japanese, including Itagaki and two interpreters. Itagaki produced a calling card of Honjo and said that he had come as the latter’s representative to convey the following information:
- (1)
- Peace should he maintained in Eastern Asia.
- (2)
- Complete cooperation is desired between the Chinese and Japanese authorities in the northeast.
The Kuantung commander expects General Ma to change his anti-Japanese policy and come to an understanding with the former as to the desires of the Japanese military. If General Ma will stop his military operations, he will be left in charge of the military affairs in Heilungkiang Province so as to maintain peace in eastern Asia. The Japanese military authorities have made up their mind not to allow any anti-Japanese movement in the northeast and have worked out plans for the thorough reconstruction of this country as a whole. It is because of their respect of General Ma’s brilliant display of bravery that the Kuantung military authorities have not yet attacked the Kihai and Tsiko Railways.
General Ma replied as follows: The first plan is also much desired by General Ma. He also agrees with the second point raised, but only insofar as China’s sovereignty is respected and as united friendship is manifested. The recent movements of the Heilungkiang troops have been taken only in self-defense, and General Ma states that he is subject only to the orders of the Nanking Government. It is his sincere hope that the trouble between China and Japan can be solved properly during the conversation. Itagaki further referred to the possibility that General Ma might be appointed assistant to the Governor of the civil government at Tsitsihar. To this Ma replied that, as Hailun is not very far from Harbin, he could consult with General Chang Ching-hui over the telephone or pay a call on the latter in person, and that a second trip to Hailun by the Japanese representative would not be necessary.’
- 2.
- Ohashi informed me that Japanese military stated that results of interview were fairly satisfactory.
- 3.
- There is no doubt that General Ma objected to this visit and does not wish it repeated.
- 4.
- Correspondents were invited by Ohashi to accompany Itagaki evidently for purposes of publicity and for decreasing danger of possible attack on the party.
- 5.
- First Japanese so-called commercial six-passenger airplane arrived with no passengers and no mail at Harbin at 12:15 p.m. and left with six Japanese passengers for Mukden at 12:40 p.m. today on trial flight.”