893.00/6841: Telegram
The Minister in Chirm (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
524. 1. Following is summary of radiograms from General Connor40 at Tientsin, intercepted messages from international train to General Connor, and other official sources: International train which left Peking December 10, 8 a.m., for return trip to Tientsin fired upon by Li Ching-lin artillery 4 miles south of Yangtsim presumably early this morning. Train slightly damaged by shrapnel but no casualties; returned to Yangtsim. Two of Feng’s armored trains [Page 621] were immediately behind international train and it is possible international train was fired upon in view of this circumstance. Foreign commandants at Tientsin are protesting to Li. General Connor obtained permission to send relief train at 2 o’clock today to Yangtsun with food, etc., and to bring passengers to Tientsin. Contingent of Feng’s forces has occupied railway station at Yangtsun and the area surrounding it with one or more batteries of artillery which have begun firing on Li’s troops who are returning fire. Passengers on the train sought safety underneath cars during the battle which is now raging with shells falling about them. French Legation guard has direct telephone communication with Yangtsun and promises to give me half-hourly bulletins concerning state of affairs there.
2. Senior minister, on behalf of Heads of Legation, and myself are now leaving to call upon General Lu Chung-lin, representative of Marshal Feng Yu-hsiang in Peking, to protest against violation of article 9 of 1901 protocol41 since we have always maintained that this article gives foreign railway guards exclusive right to occupy Yangtsun and other points named in article 9. We will endeavor to persuade Feng to withdraw his forces from Yangtsun and to accord international train every possible protection. Likewise we will protest against international train being closely followed by any military trains.
3. Following as background. Telephone communication with Tientsin has been interrupted for 2 days; regular train service has likewise been interrupted for that period owing to heavy troop movement, removal of rails at various points, and at least partial blowing up of Bridge 31 at Yangtsun. International train in question left Tientsin at 10 o’clock morning of December 9th only arriving Peking 3:55 on the morning of 10th, the delay being occasioned by the necessity of repairing the bridge at Yangtsun and the rails at various points and likewise on account of congestion of troop trains. International train is under the command of Captain Cope of the American Army forces at Tientsin.
4. Repeat to War and Navy Departments at request of military and naval attachés.
(Section two and last.)
- 1.
- General Lu Chung-lin informed Netherlands Minister and myself that in the circumstances it was impossible for him to suggest to Marshal Feng immediate withdrawal of his troops from Yangtsun since the struggle for Tientsin is now at a critical stage, an ultimatum having been delivered to Li Ching-lin’s forces either to accept by tonight certain terms offered to them or take the consequences. Lu stated there was every reason to expect heavy fighting tonight [Page 622] nearer Tientsin and expressed grave doubt whether arrangement could be made to get train through. It was finally arranged that Peck, Chinese Secretary of Legation, and Mr. Tang, representing General Lu, should proceed at once by automobile to Yangtsun for the purpose of facilitating the return of train to Peking or if advisable its proceeding to Tientsin. It seems advisable to leave the decision of this point to the discretion of commander of train in consultation with Peck. The British, French, Italian and Japanese Ministers concur in arranging for the return of train if deemed advisable. I have communicated in this sense with General Connor by radio, requesting him to communicate accordingly to the train commander which he can do by radio.
- 2.
- According to Lu fighting has advanced some miles beyond Yangtsun towards Tientsin leaving Yangtsun quiet and out of danger. A simultaneous report from commandant of the French post at Yangtsun however is to the effect that the battle continues but that passengers safe and comfortable.
- 3.
- Repeat to War, Navy Department, at the request of military, naval attaché.
- Telegram in two sections.↩
- Brig. Gen. William D. Connor, U. S. Army, commanding American forces in China.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1901, appendix (Affairs in China), p. 312.↩