893.00/7648: Telegram
The Chargé in China ( Mayer ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 16—5:54 a.m.]
410. My 407, September 15, 3 p.m. Following from American consul general, Hankow:
“September 15, 3 p.m. American gunboat Pigeon was fired upon by Southern shore battery offshore Chenglingki yesterday afternoon. Pigeon returned fire with machine gun. No casualties reported from Pigeon.
Four commercial vessels which could be used in case evacuation of foreigners at Chungking should become necessary are now at or near that place. Conditions reported quiet there yesterday.
From Saturday noon to yesterday noon 81 cars of Southern troops moved northward. It is definitely established that Sun Chuan-fang’s troops have employed Southerners at Wusüeh on left bank of Yangtze above Kiukiang. Considerable concentration of Sun’s troops at Kiukiang. Wuchang is still holding out, consequently British Admiral in command of the Yangtze Patrol sailed on the Bee for up river yesterday afternoon in connection with Wanhsien incident.”