893.00/5953: Telegram

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

29. My 28 January 18, 11 p.m. Admiral McVay reports as follows today:

“1. The senior naval officers decided that the force available is sufficient to keep defeated soldiers out of the concession and would do so by using such force measures as the occasion required. Eighteen hundred of Sun troops left for Soochow this morning. A large number of Chi troops are at Wuhsi [Wusih?] which has been looted and on each side of the town the railroad is out of commission and much damage done to the rolling stock. The first report was incorrect and the board of investigation has cleared our sailors of any responsibility for the shooting of the Chinese …

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Schurman