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  4. Document 443

893.00/4320: Telegram

The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State

Peking, May 1, 1922—11 p.m.
[Received May 2—2:46 a.m.]

187. Your 105, April 29, 6 p.m. I sent April 30th radio to Admiral Strauss asking whether it would be possible, if he and Colonel Martin33 agreed, to send marines to strengthen Tientsin regiment in place of soldiers requested in my 177 April 29, 3 p.m. Admiral replies he will arrive Peking evening May 2nd for consultation after having conferred with Colonel Martin at Tientsin.

Assuming it is possible for Admiral Strauss to send marines and assuming that after a consultation here this course is deemed expedient and desirable, I have the honor to inquire whether the Department would authorize the execution of this program.

Controlling reasons for reinforcing Tientsin garrison are protection of American lives and property and joint obligation to keep open railway from Peking to the sea. If Chang’s forces are defeated it is believed in view of their character they will get out of hand and loot and Tientsin will be especially exposed. As to keeping railway open the combined forces of foreign nations are, as the diplomatic body has been informed by Tientsin commanders, inadequate for the purpose. Outside Peking United States has 555 officers and men; Great Britain 526; Japan 979; France 1217.

Artillery audible all last night and today in Peking. Opposing forces heavily engaged on northern front. Wu’s forces within 14 miles of Peking on Peking–Hankow Railway and attempting northern encircling move around Chang’s position at Changhsintien. Heavy artillery firing in the vicinity of Hwangtsun all last night on Peking–Tientsin Railway in which Chang’s troops were driven back but Wu’s troops did not cross Hun River. Up to date Wu has best of battle and positions of his forces are declared by military men to be strategically sound as opposed to southern front of Chang’s forces which have crossed Hun River making an orderly retreat impossible.

Schurman
  1. Col. William F. Martin, commanding 15th Infantry, U. S. China Expedition at Tientsin.↩