and 7th July 1937 and 13th December 1937 (the rape of Nanking). How about another livestream like 9/11 for this or a day by day event? Will the idea take off because of the brutality of the Massacre?
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I would need 24-hour live videotape for that, otherwise the livestream will be extremely short. 
I am thinking of making this a day-by-day topic though.
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even from articles in the tokyo times? They would be in Japanese, so that idea goes out the window
Oh… And as and end sentence for the thread you could write to this day the Japanese government denies it happened.
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I’ll let history speak for me.
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Man, I wish. Transcribing Japanese is hard enough, transcribing Imperial Japanese is gonna take more effort.
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The only time so far I transcribed Imperial Japanese (the Japanese declaration of war):
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U.S. State Department (September 19, 1931)
793.94/1794: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 2:30 a.m.
[Received September 18 — 7:10 p.m.]
599.
Donald, adviser to Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang, has just informed me of the receipt here by Chang Hsüeh-liang of a telegram from Mukden to the effect that at 10 p.m., on evening of September 18th a squad of Japanese soldiers, having left Japanese barracks and gone southeast of Mukden City, were firing with rifles at the east camp, arsenal and city and with artillery at the rate of one shell a minute. Statement is that some 70 soldiers at east camp had been injured. No knowledge of amount of damage or number of casualties in city. Donald stated that Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang had ordered all Chinese soldiers within barracks, depoted all arms, and forbade retaliation, adding that Japanese soldiers had apparently run amuck, Japanese consular authorities being powerless. Firing reported to be still going on at 1 o’clock this morning, Japanese soldiers then at west gate apparently surrounding city.
Please inform War and Navy Department[s]. Nanking, commander in chief and Tokyo informed.
JOHNSON
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793.94/2346
Memorandum by the Minister in China of a conversation with Mr. W. H. Donald, adviser to Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang of Manchuria
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 2:30 a.m.
Mr. Donald just called me by telephone and said that Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang had received a telegram from Mukden stating that a little before 10 p.m. the evening of the 18th, a squad of Japanese soldiers had left the Japanese area and proceeding southeast of Mukden had commenced firing with rifles at the east camp and at the arsenal. He said they were also using a cannon and were apparently firing shells on the city at the rate of one every ten minutes; that one had landed somewhere near the Japanese monument. He said that at that time it was reported that some seventy Chinese soldiers had been killed in the east camp but they had no information as to what damage had been done in the city. He informed me that Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang had issued orders restricting troops to barracks and depoting all arms and had forbade any retaliatory measures.
Mr. Donald stated that he had received a personal message to the effect that firing was continuing at one o’clock this morning and that Japanese soldiers had been seen marching in the direction of the west gate of the city, the inference being that the Japanese were making a move to occupy the city of Mukden. Mr. Donald stated that their information was that apparently the Japanese military had got completely out of hand at Mukden, that the Japanese civilian authorities, namely the consul general, were powerless to do anything.
NELSON TRUSLER JOHNSON
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793.94/1795: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, September 19, 1931 — noon.
[Received September 19 — 2:31 a.m.]
150.
Peiping’s 599, September 19th, 2:30 a.m.
Japanese newspapers today published extras indicating a state of war between Japan and China. The Foreign Office stated to a member of the staff that the facts seem to be a minor clash between Japanese South Manchurian Railway guards and Chinese soldiers growing out of damage to a section of railway track just north of Mukden, which the Japanese Army has since occupied. The Japanese assure us they are determined upon a peaceful settlement of whatever controversy arises.
Under the circumstances I think it would be unwise to cancel voyage home and stay here as such action might be misconstrued so I shall sail on Empress of Japan this afternoon.
Repeated to Peiping.
FORBES
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793.94/1797: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — noon.
[Received September 19 — 5:58 a.m.]
600.
My September 19, 2:30 p.m. [a.m.]
Same source informs me that two train loads of Japanese soldiers arrived Yingkou this morning proceeding thence to Kowpangtze where they disarmed railway police and all others, occupying town. Japanese warship is reported to have arrived at Yingkou this morning. Communication from Mukden ceased at 3 a.m. at which time Japanese soldiers reported entered city.
Mayer, Military Attaché’s office, is proceeding Mukden to ascertain facts.
Please inform War and Navy. Repeated to commander in chief and Tokyo.
JOHNSON
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793.94/1804: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 2 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 7 a.m.]
602.
My 599, September 19 and 600, September 19, 11 a.m. [noon].
Wellington Koo has just come to me from Marshal Chang Hsüeh-liang to confirm reports contained in my two telegrams above referred to and to say that Japanese military forces were in occupation of the city of Mukden and that they had placed troops at all administrative offices including the Marshal’s headquarters. Occupation of Kowpangtze cuts Manchuria off completely from China. Koo stated that Marshal Chang had reported matter to Nanking. In the course of conversation Koo brought up League possible action on the part of China or powers either under the Covenant of the League, the Kellogg pact or article VII of the Nine-Power Treaty regarding principles and policies. With reference to the treaty regarding principles and policies he suggested possibility of the United States starting a discussion among interested powers.
I told Koo that I had informed Department of incidents thus far reported to me, that I was not in a position to know what attitude my Government would take as to the basis for the dispute and that I thought it would take a little time to learn what it was about and what should be done. Koo departed asking me to inform him of any views that Washington might have in regard to this matter.
In a separate telegram I am communicating substance of conversation member of staff had with Counselor of Japanese Legation at noon today regarding Japanese version of last night’s events at Mukden.
JOHNSON
793.94/1805: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 3 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 7 a.m.]
603.
Legation’s 602, September 19, 2 p.m.
Member of my staff called on Counselor of Japanese Legation in the absence of the Japanese Minister who is in Shanghai. He was informed that the Mukden incident appears to have been caused by an attempt on the part of some three or four hundred Chinese soldiers to blow up the line of the South Manchuria Railway immediately to the north of Mukden. A Japanese force was sent to investigate and prevent further damage to the line but when they arrived they were opposed by the Chinese soldiers and a brief engagement ensued. The Japanese thereupon decided as a precautionary measure to occupy certain parts of the city. In reply to a question he stated there may be no connection between the events of last night and the representations the Japanese Government had made regarding other incidents and that, on the contrary, they had been encouraged by the conciliatory attitude the Chinese had recently shown in connection with the Nakamura [case?]. When asked whether it was true that Japanese troops had occupied Kowpangtze he replied he did not know but doubted it very much.
JOHNSON
793.94/1798: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 5 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 7 a.m.]
605.
Military Attaché’s office informs me as follows:
Japanese Military Attaché and Naval Attaché state that three [or] four days ago several Japanese pickets were ambushed and killed by Chinese soldiers on South Manchuria Railway, that South Manchuria Railway was cut north of Mukden and that due to these events and Nakamura case they have seized Mukden, Changchun, Yingkou and Kowpangtze and railway connecting with last two places. That arsenals in Mukden have been seized and that fighting has occurred there and at Changchun. Chinese troops in neighborhood of Mukden have been disarmed. Further state that occupation of territory laterally from South Manchuria Railway will only be in depth to guard their flanks.
JOHNSON
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793.94/1796: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, September 19, 1931 — 5 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 7:33 a.m.]
153.
Embassy’s 150, September 19, noon.
Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs informs me that according to information at hand the South Manchuria Railway guards at Mukden discovered last night about 10 o’clock that part of the track north of Mukden was being torn up. They called assistance and proceeded to break up the interference when they were confronted by several hundred Chinese soldiers in uniform coming out of the north camp. The Japanese military authorities thereupon sent out a force sufficient to drive off the Chinese and by 10 o’clock this morning had occupied the whole of Mukden and its environment. I am now informed that a special Cabinet meeting was held today and orders have been dispatched to the Japanese commander in chief of the army in Manchuria to stop all further aggressive military operations. The Foreign Office has promised to keep me advised.
Copy to Peiping.
NEVILLE
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793.94/1799: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 8 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 10:10 a.m.]
606.
Following telegram has been received from Langdon at Dairen.
September 19, 2 p.m. Consul at Mukden telephones for repetition to you that Japanese took over whole of Mukden at 1 a.m., this morning; they have also occupied Changchun, Antung and Newchwang and are running public services at all these places. Foreigners are all safe.
JOHNSON
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793.94/1800: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 19, 1931 — 9 p.m.
[Received September 19 — 10:25 a.m.]
607.
Following undated from American Consul General at Mukden, repeated by naval radio from Shanghai:
September 19, 4 p.m. Please forward to Legation at Peiping. Sano, Japanese Consulate, reports South Manchuria Railway cut about 20 miles north of Mukden by 400 Chinese troops from Peitaiying garrison, 150 Japanese troops engaging Chinese. Desultory artillery fire can be heard from Mukden. Obviously not a severe engagement. Chinese Foreign Office telephoned 1:45. Chinese had requested Japanese cease firing but without avail. Japanese have blocked railway settlement to all including foreigners. No danger to foreigners anticipated although serious political complications will very likely arise.
LYNCH
JOHNSON
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793.94/2024
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Current Information of the press conference
September 19, 1931
[Extract]
. . . . . . .
CHINA – Secretary Stimson said that the news received by the Department concerning the occurrences at Mukden, Manchuria, substantially confirmed the press dispatches. The contents of the telegrams to the Department have been conveyed to the press, not for attribution to the Department of State, because the news contained therein was from Chinese sources. Asked if the telegrams to the Department substantiated this morning’s press reports concerning the capture of Mukden by the Japanese, the Secretary replied that Mukden appeared to have been taken by Japanese soldiers against the opposition of their Government representatives. The Secretary said, furthermore, that from the press dispatches and the telegraphic dispatches received by the Department it appears to be perfectly clear that the incident was caused by the action of the soldiers against the efforts of the representatives of their Government at Mukden. The Secretary said that he was merely giving the correspondents the reports he had received to date and which, so far, had not been contradicted. A correspondent here observed that when Polish soldiers captured a Lithuanian town they gave out the same story. In reply, Mr. Stimson said he did not remember the details of the Lithuanian incident.
Asked then if the incident in Mukden came under the provisions of the Four-Power Pacific Treaty, the Secretary said he thought not and that, judging from the dispatches received, it was not a clash of Governments, but a clash of subordinates of Governments, and that it would not, therefore, come under either the Kellogg Pact or any of the other Treaties. A correspondent then observed that clashes between governments usually grow out of smaller things. In reply, Mr. Stimson said it might lead to something that would call for the invocation of the Kellogg Pact or other Treaties, but it certainly is not yet an act of war by one Government against another, according to the press dispatches. The Secretary here said that his remarks were not for attribution to himself or to the Department of State and that they were for guidance only. A correspondent then said he thought he had a right to know whether the United States viewed this incident as coming under the provisions of any of the Treaties above mentioned. He was informed, in reply, that the Secretary had given him all he was entitled to know and that the information given above was merely for his guidance. The correspondent then said that the public was not interested in his (the correspondent’s) view and that it is interested in the views of the Department of State. The correspondent then asked if he could obtain some statement which he could publish on the authority of the Department of State. Mr. Stimson then said that our information was very imperfect and that the correspondents were trying to make him jump before he was ready. The correspondent then said that he was not attempting to do such a thing or to do anything that would be unfair to the Secretary of State. In reply, Mr. Stimson said he did not mean to use the word “unfair”, but the fact of the matter is we are just beginning to receive dispatches from the disturbed area. Anyone who has the facts probably would reach the same conclusion which the Department has, which is that so far, the matter does not involve the two Governments and is not, therefore, under the provisions of the Kellogg Pact. The correspondent then said that the above statement was proper news and interesting to the reading public because of the great interest in the Kellogg Pact. Mr. Stimson then said that the correspondents might use the following for attribution: The Department is following the matter carefully, but on the news thus far received there seems to be no ground for indicating any violation of the Kellogg Pact.
Asked if the United States has any extensive commercial interests in the region around Mukden, the Secretary said he understood our trade with that district was small.
. . . . . . .
M. J. McDERMOTT
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The Pittsburgh Press (September 19, 1931)
China’s troops fight Japanese invasion; many die in battle
350 Manchurians imprisoned during bombardment of Mukden
Tokyo, Japan (UP) –
Fierce fighting between Japanese and Chinese in the Mukden area, with many casualties, was reported to the War Office today.
Japanese detachments were meeting strong opposition in their attempts to occupy Chinese military posts, advices said. Ten Japanese were reported killed and 40 injured.
Chinese casualties were heavy in an engagement near the north peak of Kirin. 800 Japanese were attempting to occupy the peak and have reportedly surrounded it.
Reattack barracks
According to advices here, 10,000 Chinese appear to have recaptured the eastern barracks at Mukden. The Japanese 29th Regiment of 900 men is reattacking the barracks and considerable casualties were reported.
At Changchun, casualties were reported in occupation of the south peak.
Kirin troops were reinforced by Chinese defending Kwangchengtse and Nanking. Heavy fighting was reported and Japanese reinforcements were en route from Kungchuling.
350 Chinese imprisoned
Japanese soldiers imprisoned 350 Chinese troops during the morning bombardment of the walled city. They were transported in motortrucks to a temporary detention camp behind the Chinese gendarmerie headquarters.
Twenty Chinese policemen and the son of a Chinese general were arrested and questioned by the Japanese.
Later, part of a Japanese regiment at Heijō was reported entraining for Korea.
The Chinese barracks at Peitaiying were reported in flames, presumably as the result of a bombardment. At Antung, Japanese troops disarmed a Chinese gunboat.
Issues proclamation
Gen. Jirō Tamon, commanding the Japanese forces at Mukden, issued a proclamation saying the Japanese would protect property of citizens.
He prohibited mass meetings and demonstrations and said looters would be executed.
Gen. Chiang Kai-shek, Chinese President, was en route to the battlefront in Hunan Province, where National troops were rushed to meet an invasion by Cantonese. It appeared that a large-scale civil war would be added to China’s recent terrific flood damage in the Yangtze Valley and her quarrel with Japan.
Dynamiting of an iron bridge on the main line of the South Manchurian Railway, attributed to Chinese, and an alleged attack by 300 Chinese troops on headquarters of Japanese Railway guards at Peitaiying, three miles north of Mukden, precipitated the fighting, Japanese officials said.
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U.S. State Department (September 20, 1931)
793.94/1806: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 20, 1931 — 2 a.m.
[Received September 19 — 10 p.m.]
608.
Following from Mukden via Shanghai:
September 19, 8 a.m. All Americans safe although statement in my earlier telegram regarding safety of foreigners was somewhat premature. Japanese machine guns opened [fire on?] motor car carrying Chinese in International Settlement killing chauffeur, wounding occupant, bullets passing over Mukden Club window and automobiles of Americans standing in compound. Japanese troops now control International Settlement and surround native city. At 5 p.m. yesterday Japanese Consulate General assured me that chance of immediate trouble had practically passed due to conciliatory attitude of Chinese. Believe whole episode complete surprise to Japanese Consulate General. International Settlement now quiet.
LYNCH
JOHNSON
793.94/1807: Telegram
The Minister in China to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 20, 1931 — 11 p.m. [a.m.?]
[Received September 20 — 3 a.m.]
609.
Commandant of American Guard who is Senior Commandant informs me that Commandant of Japanese Legation Guard came to him this morning and after informing him of happenings in Manchuria along the lines reported in Tokyo’s 153, September 19, 5 p.m., referred to possibility of attacks upon Japanese nationals resident in Peiping. He asked concerning attitude of the Senior Commandant in such eventuality with special reference to general plan of defense of foreigners and Legation Quarter in case of attack. Commandant of American Guard replied with my approval that present situation involving as it does only Japanese would not warrant invoking of general plan. Senior Commandant suggested that if Japanese citizens are threatened outside Legation Quarter obvious step would be for Japanese authorities to bring them into their own Legation.
Repeated to commander in chief.
JOHNSON
793.94/1820: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva to the Secretary of State
Geneva, September 20, 1931 — 4 p.m.
[Received September 21 — 2:15 p.m.]
116.
Late Saturday afternoon, following a private session of the Council in which the affair was presumably discussed, the Japanese delegate, at the request of the President of the Council, made a brief statement concerning the Mukden incident.
This statement was to the effect that the information received by him was meager and that he had requested further details from his Government and would keep the Council informed of developments. He added that the Japanese Government would doubtless take measures to attempt to insure that this local incident should not lead to more serious complications, and to effect an appeasement of the situation.
Dr. Sze, the Chinese delegate, took the occasion to speak immediately afterwards expressing deep concern in regard to this “highly regrettable incident”. He added that the information thus far at hand seemed to indicate that the Chinese were not responsible for the incident. He stated that he would not fail to communicate to the Council any authentic information which he obtained.
The President of the Council, Mr. Lerroux of Spain, noted the statements and said that the Council had heard with satisfaction that the Japanese Government would take the necessary measures to bring about an appeasement of the situation and expressed the hope for a prompt settlement of the question.
No other member of the Council spoke on the subject. It was evidently the intention of the President to attempt to allay apprehension by the public declarations referred to above.
[Paraphrase] This morning Dr. Sze called on me to say that he was aware of my following in a strategical way the Council’s proceedings, so he thought the Chinese position in this matter might be of interest to me.
I was told by Sze that the chief delegates of certain powers had met informally and privately prior to the Council’s meeting on Saturday and had more or less decided against having the question brought up before the Council. This attitude Sze attributed to Japanese influence. Certain delegates after the meeting approached him as to whether he intended to present the question, and for reasons to be explained later in this telegram, he would not say what he planned to do. He gave as his excuse that he was receiving messages from Nanking which might control his action. In consequence of his reply, another meeting was held by the same delegates, and following this (in this case apparently as a result), the question was presented to the Council by the Japanese delegate. This Japanese action, incidentally, is interpreted here as a Japanese desire (as they do not know Sze’s plans), by taking the initiative, to prevent bringing up the aspect of good faith. However, it resulted in allowing the Chinese delegate to make a move without initiating it in a way which might be interpreted to be tantamount to an appeal to the Council.
I learned from Sze that he was not able and probably would not be able during the present Council session to communicate to it any more authentic information regarding the Mukden situation, since he had been informed from Nanking of the cutting by the Japanese of communications from Mukden to Peiping and Nanking, thereby preventing his getting any information from Mukden. Sze attributed this Japanese cutting of communications as an act to prevent the true facts becoming known before the Council’s meetings have concluded. He also revealed to me that instructions from his Government on the position he should take at Geneva had not yet been received; that his action would be governed by these instructions, but that he would put off this action as long as he could, even if directed to present the question to the League.
After the above statements, it became apparent why Sze had come to see me. The press in Europe has published articles under a Washington date line about the United States considering the relationship of the current situation to the Four-Power Pacific Treaty’s provisions. Sze said he felt that action under this treaty or under the Kellogg Pact of 1928 would be better for China than League of Nations action, since the stronger position of Japan in the League would militate against China. According to Sze, Japan can use its position by employing its relations to questions of Europe as trading points. Sze has no wish to fall between two stools, but if there is a possibility that Washington may take the action mentioned above, Sze does wish to avoid an appeal to the League, especially as he feels that possible American action might be prejudiced by prior League action. From the foregoing it will be noted that neither Japan nor China has as yet requested the League Council to act in this matter.
While listening to Sze’s statements, naturally I made no comments. If the Department should make any public statements or any statements to the press on the situation, I should appreciate having their substance. It is probable that nothing will happen tomorrow, but at the meeting of the League Assembly, scheduled at present for September 22, the matter may come to a head. [End paraphrase]
GILBERT
793.94/2216
The Vice Consul at Mukden to the Minister in China
Mukden, September 20, 1931.
No. 446
Sir: I have the honor to advise the Legation as stated in my several telegrams of September 19 that at about 1 a.m. on that morning, Japanese troops entered the International Settlement at Mukden and surrounded the Native City. The city itself was invested in the early hours of the morning. Chinese troops were, at the first signs of trouble, ordered to retire without resistance. Insofar as Mukden is concerned the transfer took place with no resistance from Chinese troops and with few indications of any desire to fight on the part of the Chinese. A few unfortunate incidents will be noted in this dispatch. Since the taking over of Mukden, the Consulate General has been informed that Changchun, Newchwang, Antung and Kwangchengtze were also taken over on the morning of the 19th. The International Settlement has been quiet and Americans and other foreigners, although advised to remain at home after dark, have felt fairly safe.
Firing started about 11 o’clock on Friday evening and for some time thereafter it was believed by most people to indicate only the not unusual Japanese sham battle. At about 11:30, however, firing from heavier guns was heard from the southeast of Mukden. Shortly after 12, I proceeded to the Japanese Consulate General and was informed by Vice Consul Miura that Chinese troops had blown up two sections of the South Manchuria Railway at Pei Tai Ying near the Chinese north camp, a few miles north of Mukden; they had also opened fire on a detachment of Japanese troops who had defended themselves and called for enforcements. This was the explanation of the firing then heard. Unbelievable as it may sound, I am reasonably certain that the Japanese Consulate General did not know at that time that it was the intention of the military authorities immediately to occupy Chinese territory. They were, of course, intensely worried as to the probable repercussions of the affair but I very much doubt their having prior knowledge of the actual moving of troops. I was, while at the Consulate General, assured as to the entire safety of foreigners.
On Saturday, the 19th, the Consulate General notified Americans that while it had little doubt as to their safety, as an elementary precaution, it was recommended that they remain at home after dark. In company with the British Consul General I called on the Japanese Consul General at 5 p.m. to inquire as to what measures were being taken for the protection of the life and property of our nationals in the International Settlement and in the native city. The Japanese Consul General assured us that he had made every effort to impress upon the Commander-in-Chief, S. Honjo, the necessity for such protection and while he could not tell us the exact number of police, troops and gendarmes that would be available for this work, he had every hope that his urgings had had the desired effect. Mr. Hayashi told us in confidence that when the military came in charge they were extremely difficult to deal with. This fact has been obvious from the first. Both Mr. Eastes and I had to be satisfied with Mr. Hayashi’s statement with regard to protection. I requested a special military guard for the National City Bank of New York and Mr. Eastes for the Hongkong Bank. It is now the night of September 20 and, although a few shots can be heard from time to time, it is believed that every precaution is being taken for the protection of foreigners.
The two code telegrams sent from this Consulate General early Saturday morning were returned from the Chinese telegraph office and were sent Japanese lines via Shanghai. No assurance could be obtained as to their getting through in code and there was considerable doubt about telegrams en clair. Another telegram was, however, sent en clair and in order to make assurance doubly sure the Consulate General got indirectly into communication with Consul Langdon at Dairen and requested that he telegraph the bare details to the Legation, the Department and the Embassy at Tokyo. Up to this time this Consulate General does not know how many, if any, of its wires have been received by the Legation. True readings of the code telegrams and readings of the en clair telegrams are therefore enclosed.
This Consulate General finds it difficult to give credence to the Japanese explanation of the incident. The movement into Chinese territory was too sudden and too concerted to have been caused by an explosion on the South Manchuria Railway line at 10:30 p.m. Officials of the Consulate General have not given this as their own explanation but they confine themselves to saying “We have been informed by the military authorities that, etc. etc.” At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of the eighteenth I called at the Japanese Consulate General to ascertain if there were any new developments in the Nakamura affair. I found that it was felt to be progressing very satisfactorily due to the conciliatory attitude recently adopted by the Chinese. To quote a statement made to me that day by an official of the Japanese Consulate General when discussing the possibility of trouble:
The Chinese are very wise to adopt a conciliatory attitude and tell the truth in this matter for Japan holds two sabres, the South Manchuria Railway lines from Dairen to Mukden and from Korea to Mukden. But Japan with this strength in the form of these sabres would be very wrong to use it unless something very bad were done by the Chinese and unless they refused to treat the matter fairly.
The “something very bad” happened but I cannot believe that the Japanese Consulate General had any idea that it was going to happen and I do not believe that the Japanese consular officials give any credence whatsoever to the military authorities’ statement that the affair was a matter of Chinese aggression.
Captain Mayer’s telegram of 6 p.m. September 20 gives a very clear account of Japanese military activity so far, which he obtained from the Japanese military authorities. There were a few incidents of what is believed to have been unnecessary terrorism. Japanese troops are reliably reported to have seized the Trench Mortar Arsenal, to have killed the military guards who offered no resistance and to have tossed hand grenades into the workmen’s quarters killing twenty men. The old gateman at the Chinese Post Office made a faint gesture of protest when troops took the postmen’s bicycles and received a terrible beating with rifle butts for his pains. He was sent to the Hospital. It is understood that Chinese policemen were shot in many instances when a few police boxes endeavored mistakenly to resist the Japanese. This morning Mr. Sugden, the British works manager of the Peking-Mukden Railway shops, endeavored to reach his office in his car driven by a Chinese chauffeur and draped with the British flag. The car was stopped the chauffeur beaten and the British flag torn from the car stamped and spat upon. Mr. Sugden escaped with a torn coat. The British Consul General protested strongly to the Japanese consular authorities and Mr. Hayashi, the Japanese Consul General, immediately called in person on the military authorities. An apology is expected soon. As was stated in my telegram of 8 a.m. September 19, a Chinese chauffeur was killed opposite the Mukden Club at about 2 a.m. The owner of the car died in the morning from wounds received. Stray bullets entered the Mukden Club and in addition damaged the motor cars of several Americans in the Club compound. No foreigners were hurt. A protest was made by this office to the Japanese Consulate General and expressions of extreme regret as well as assurances of future safety for Americans were received. However, when it is considered that a city of some 400,000 people changed from Chinese to Japanese hands literally overnight it must be admitted that there has been remarkably little bloodshed and few untoward incidents.
Respectfully yours,
ANDREW G. LYNCH
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