893.00/7644: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—8:45 a.m.]
407. My 402, September 14, 7 p.m.28
1. Following from American consul general at Hanko:
“September 14, 11 a.m. Extremely heavy attack on Wuchang began last night at 12 o’clock and continued for 1 hour preceded by an aeroplane bombing about dusk, resulting, it is said, in some loss of property among civilians. City has now been besieged 12 days, much of the time under intense artillery and machine-gun fire. Conditions gradually improving in Hankow.
Establishment of government in Hankow extremely slow due largely to failure to take Wuchang and persistent rumors that Cantonese troops formerly belonging to Wu are wavering in their allegiance as between the North and the South. I foresee many difficulties in dealing with the new authorities, and I should like instructions as to my official relations with them. Until otherwise instructed I shall maintain informal contact only conducting as little correspondence as possible and avoiding any act which might seem to denote a recognition of the new regime.”
2. I have telegraphed Lockhart approving his proposed attitude toward new authorities as set forth in the last sentence, second paragraph, of his telegram aforementioned.
- Not printed.↩