893.01 Manchuria/2: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—4:10 a.m.]
248. Legation’s 238, February 17, 2 p.m. Following from American Consul General at Mukden: [Page 387]
“February 17, 3 p.m. Supplementing my telegram of February 16, 6 p.m. There is reason to believe that Japanese officials with the knowledge and probably with the sanction of high Japanese authorities are strongly urging the immediate establishment of the new state owing to the immediate visit of the League Commission and conditions at Shanghai; also that with possibly a few exceptions the Chinese officials are anxious to effect a temporizing arrangement—a central political council for the provinces is being mentioned—in view of recent developments in Shanghai and threats of Chinese invasion of Manchuria. Reliably informed that Chinese officials are alarmed at the possibilities and for political reasons agreed at a secret meeting to try to postpone the establishment of the new state. Japanese well-informed opinion fully expects that important developments will take place in the next few days.”