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

793.94/3472: Telegram

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

Peiping, January 11, 1932—10 a.m.
[Received January 11—3 a.m.]

48. Following from Consul General at Harbin:

“January 9, 11 a.m.

1. At noon on January 7 at Tsitsihar General Chang Ching-hui announced that he had on January 3rd taken over the control of all military and civil affairs in Heilungkiang Province with the title of Shengchang¹⁹ and notified Chinese Government orally in only Mukden, Kirin and Harbin to this effect.

2. General Ma will probably serve under Governor Chang as commander of the provincial military forces.

3. General Ting Chao, who has begun to lean toward the Japanese, commenced yesterday to commandeer 30 auto buses to carry troops south of Harbin against a large band of brigands, who appeared to be threatening to march on Harbin. By the time he had gathered the buses he received a report that the brigands had scattered so he did not send the troops. This gave rise to rumor that Kirin troops were being sent to Harbin and that he had decided to resist them.”

Johnson

19. Provincial governor.