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The Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation6
Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang reported by telegraph on July 19 as follows:
“A train from Peh-piao to Chinchow was robbed and plundered by a group of bandits on July 17. A division of our troops under Division Commander Chang was despatched to pursue the bandits. During the operation, a Japanese armoured train suddenly appeared and rushed into Chao-Yang-Tze. On being interrogated, the Japanese fired on our troops. Unable to stand the attack, General Chang, who was wounded, withdrew his men to Nanling where he has been resisting since.
“In the afternoon of July 18, five Japanese military planes appeared at Chao-yang and dropped more than thirty bombs on the government premises, including the Bureau of Communications and the Bureau of War. They also indiscriminately machine-gunned for about half an hour, killing and wounding several scores of persons and horses.”
The Sino-Japanese dispute over Manchuria is now under the consideration of the League of Nations. But Japan is bent upon aggravating an already aggravated situation by now attacking Jehol. In face of such an invasion, we are forced to resist with all the resources at our command.
- Copy of telegram transmitted to the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs by the Chinese Chargé under covering letter of July 20, 1932.↩