793.94/13009: Telegram
The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Salisbury) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 13—7 a.m.]
291. The following telegram has been received from the American Consul at Harbin:
“15. May 12, 3 p.m. Yesterday 1000 carts and horses and many more coolies were impressed in Harbin for use probably on the eastern border. Chinese with a knowledge of Japanese or Russian were taken from their places of employment, which is legal under the national defense mobilization law enforced yesterday.
It is reported that the Okamura Division (Second Division) which has been stationed in Harbin for about a year has left for the East.
Japanese residents feel that a war with Russia is more likely now than several months ago, and they say that Japanese forces in Manchuria exceed those in China. The war feeling in Harbin is stronger than it has been for over 2 years, with Japanese civilians admitting that if it comes it will be brought about by their own leaders.
Repeated to Tokyo.”