What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a Secret incoming telegram from the Department of State, dated September twentieth, nineteen-forty-nine, regarding Soviet troops in Manchuria. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence concerns. It was retrieved from The Black Vault, at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made public on November tenth, two-thousand-fourteen. The declassification authority is not specified on the document itself. It is identified in the archive by its subject: US Intelligence on China, specifically, Soviet Troops in Manchuria. The document reads: Division of Communications and Records. Department of State. Incoming Telegram. Secret. From: Peiping. To: Secretary of State. No: one-five-seven-eight, September twentieth, three P.M. Priority. Recontel one-five-five-one, September fifteenth. Chin Ting-chih transmits report from Chinese doctor Harbin railway hospital who had just arrived Peiping, that Soviet advisors infiltrated Harbin organizations in large numbers. Gave example: Soviet woman doctor recently became head women's department hospital and it was promptly ruled that hospital orders were ineffective without her countersignature. Same source reports one-hundred-thousand or one-hundred-fifty-thousand Soviet troops are present or coming Manchuria, that rail traffic Harbin-Manchuria has been suspended one month and half. Source unclear but noted Antung somehow came into picture and said there is contemplated establishment of three military lines, respectively, along Yalu River, north slash south of Penhsihu, north slash south of Mukden. He was unclear likewise regarding significance this project but designated them First, second and third lines in above indicated order and said Soviets might anticipate American advance through Korea. Anderton has reports from two sources movements of troops and tanks Harbin-Changchun. Assuming movements Soviet troops into Manchuria, following, after native explanations, seems possible: one) Noting similarity between evacuation incident nineteen-forty and present, U.S.S.R. are ready for war in Pacific. Two) Notion that war from side U.S.A. threatens or accords Communists acquiescence. Their program of expansion and hold shall be fastened unalterably on Manchuria itself. Plans war relatively near future. Three) Personally explanation most logical. Note informant H. L. predicted Soviets were going to supply railway guards Manchuria. In fact two or three of Soviet brigade families in disguise total two hundred fifty troops. But if one seems illogical, it is to be remembered Soviets are excessively suspicious, and if three seems premature, it is to be remembered that Soviets have so conformed their own thinking that their timing may be different from that American side would consider facts warranted. All three alternatives, I feel, are to be considered possible, if of unusual improbability. The final section of the…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-003Declassified

Filed NOV 14 · 2026Runtime 1 min

Today, We Examine A Secret Incoming Telegram From The Department Of State

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 14, 2026

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This is Declassified. Today, we examine a Secret incoming telegram from the Department of State, dated September twentieth, nineteen-forty-nine, regarding Soviet troops in Manchuria. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence concerns. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made public on November tenth, two-thousand-fourteen.

Date: NOV 14 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Today, We Examine A Secret Incoming Telegram From The Department Of State about?: This is Declassified. Today, we examine a Secret incoming telegram from the Department of State, dated September twentieth, nineteen-forty-nine, regarding Soviet troops in Manchuria. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence concerns. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made public on November tenth, two-thousand-fourteen.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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