893.00/6314: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 25—8:45 a.m.]
While the demonstration of students, laborers and soldiers was passing by Shameen about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon heavy rifle and machine-gun firing started between Chinese soldiers and British and French sailors lasting 20 minutes with sniping for an hour afterwards. One French civilian was killed and several other Europeans wounded. No Americans hurt, Chinese dead unknown but estimated at nearly a hundred.
There was no shooting last night but the situation is exceedingly tense and fight may be resumed at any moment. As no request for assistance has come from the British and French Concessions, American Navy force merely standing by.
It is estimated that 200 European and American refugees left for Hongkong this morning by special steamer. Japanese women and [Page 751] children have taken refuge on the Japanese destroyer. The few Americans remaining in missions near Canton believed to be safe.
Overwhelming foreign evidence that the Chinese soldiers fired first.
U. S. S. Helena expected to arrive this afternoon from Hongkong. Consular code and seals transferred to U. S. S. Asheville for safekeeping. Legation is informed.