893.01 Manchuria/5: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:41 p.m.]
257. Following from American Consul General at Mukden:
“February 19, 3 p.m., supplementing my telegram of February 19th, 1 p.m.,82 it is evident that the program which was carried out during the last few days was prepared and dictated by the Japanese military. Actually the situation has not been altered by the declaration of independence except in that it is admittedly a preliminary step in the creation of a new state. Whether this commission will form the new state will depend no doubt on the extent of Japanese pressure. In this connection an influential Japanese has expressed the opinion that its formation will require some time. The whole proceedings of the past few days have been characterized by a desire to avoid definite commitments and also appearance of a trial balloon.
According to reliable and confidential information the Japanese have plans of taking over the Chinese customs and postal service, steps that they would take undoubtedly upon the formation of the new state. Except these two institutions, the Japanese now dominate every government department and institution in South Manchuria.”
- Not printed.↩