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under detention by Chinese soldiers under Kuan Yuheng, the Commander of the Third Regiment of the Reclamation Army. Several days later, about June 27th, he and his companions were shot by Chinese soldiers and their bodies were cremated to conceal the evidence of the deed.
The Japanese contention.The Japanese insisted that the killing of Captain Nakamura and his companions was unjustified and showed arrogant disrespect for the Japanese Army and nation; they asserted that the Chinese authorities in Manchuria delayed to institute official enquiries into the circumstances, were reluctant to assume responsibility for the occurrence, and were insincere in their claim that they were making every effort to ascertain the facts in the case.
The Chinese contention.The Chinese declared, at first, that Captain Nakamura and his party were detained pending an examination of their permits, which, according to custom, were required of foreigners travelling in the interior; that they had been treated well; and that Captain Nakamura was shot by a sentry while endeavouring to make his escape. Documents, including a Japanese military map and two diaries, they stated, were found on his person, which proved that he was either a military spy or an officer on special military mission.
Investigations.On July 17th, a report of the death of Captain Nakamura reached the Japanese Consul-General at Tsitsihar and, at the end of the month, Japanese officials in Mukden informed the local Chinese authorities that they had definite evidence that Captain Nakamura had been killed by Chinese soldiers. On August 17th, the Japanese military authorities in Mukden released for publication the first account of his death (see Manchuria Daily News, August 17th, 1931). On the same day, Consul-General Hayashi, and also Major Mori, who had been sent by the Japanese General Staff from Tokyo to Manchuria to investigate the circumstances, had interviews with Governor Tsang Shih-yi, of Liaoning Province. Governor Tsang promised to investigate it at once.
Immediately thereafter, Governor Tsang Shih-yi communicated with Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang (who was then ill in a hospital in Peiping) and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Nanking and, also, appointed two Chinese investigators, who proceeded at once to the scene of the alleged murder. These two men returned to Mukden on September 3rd. Major Mori, who had been conducting an independent investigation on behalf of the Japanese General Staff, returned to Mukden on September 4th. On that day Consul-General Hayashi called on General Yung Chen, the Chinese Chief of Staff, and was informed that the findings of the Chinese investigators were indecisive and unsatisfactory, and that it would therefore be necessary to conduct a second enquiry. General Yung Chen left for Peiping on September 4th to consult with Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang on the new developments in the Manchurian situation, returning to Mukden on September 7th.
Efforts of Chinese to reach a settlement.Having been informed of the seriousness of the situation in Manchuria, Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang instructed Governor Tsang Shih-yi and General Yung Chen to conduct, without delay and on the spot, a second enquiry into the Nakamura case. Learning from his Japanese military advisers of the deep concern of the Japanese military over this affair, he sent Major Shibayama to Tokyo to make it clear that he wished to settle the case amicably. Major Shibayama arrived in Tokyo on September 12th, and stated, according to subsequent Press reports, that Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang was sincerely desirous of securing an early and equitable termination of the Nakamura issue. In the meantime, Marshal Chang had sent Mr. Tang Er-ho, a high official, on a special mission to Tokyo to consult with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baron Shidehara, in order to ascertain what common ground might be found for a solution of various pending Sino-Japanese questions concerning Manchuria. Mr. Tang Er-ho had conversations with Baron Shidehara, General Minami and other high military officials.