893.00/7657: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19—6:50 a.m.]
416. My 414, September 18, 1 p.m. Following from American consul general at Hankow:
“September 18, 3 p.m. Intermittent gunfire and aeroplane attacks on Wuchang continue. Bombs have been dropped in various parts of Wuchang, resulting in some loss of life and property damage. Shrapnel from antiaircraft guns in Wuchang have fallen in Hankow concessions.
Hankow side quiet. British and French forces still on duty, Japanese withdrawn several days ago.
Southern troops still making advances northward, now understood to be well into Honan. Sun Ch’uan-fang troops and Southerners have had several engagements in Kiangsi near the Hunan border but without appreciable fighting on either side.
British [sic] firing on river steamers and naval vessels in this immediate vicinity for several days.”