893.00/4317: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 30—4:17 a.m.]
180. Fighting began 28th, near Machang, 40 miles southwest Tientsin. Chang Tso-lin forces claim victory over Twenty-sixth Chihli or part thereof and capture of Machang. Chang Tso-lin himself is at Chunliangcheng. To-day general fighting has begun between Peking–Hankow and Tientsin–Pukow Railways following line Kuanhun River [Page 696] and Machang. Nearest point to Peking is three miles south of Changhsintien. Artillery audible in Peking since early morning. Have instructed Americans to come into Peking from race course and western hills.
Additional contingent 23 marines and 127 bluejackets and 6 officers ex-Albany [from] Chinwangtao have reached Peking.
I am suggesting to Admiral Strauss advisability of sending gunboat to Tientsin account large American interests there calling for protection.
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