893.00/8488: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 30—2:25 p.m.]
297. 1. Following from American consul general at Hankow:
“March 26, 3 p.m. Information received from source which has heretofore proved reliable indicates that Fengtien troops on or about March 31st evacuated Chengchow and Kaifeng and that the First Army, formerly loyal to Wu Pei-fu, is now definitely aligned with General Chin Yun-ao13 and that the Eighth Army is so aligned also. All troops in south Honan of these organizations were moving north on March 21st and it is generally believed in military and Nationalist political circles here that practically all that part of Honan south of Yellow River is now in the hands of the Nationalists. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this but reports have been persistent to this effect for several days. Approximately three thousand troops have left Hankow within the last few days for the north.
There has been no disorder in Hankow for the last few days. The police commissioners last night sent instructions to the police authorities at Nanking to maintain the strictest order and to protect foreign lives and property. Ch’en informs me that previous to this action several such telegraphic instructions were sent by him. I had long [Page 272] talk with Ch’en recently, explaining circumstances of Nanking incidents as I understand them and vigorously protested attacks on American citizens, looting of the consulate and injury to other American property. I think the Nationalist authorities realize the gravity of the situation. With the exception of the two young women stenographers of this consulate who are sleeping aboard Standard Oil Company ship at night, there are practically no American women ashore at Hankow and Wuchang. The Loongwo will sail tomorrow morning with about one hundred twenty-five American women and children. All arrangements made for complete evacuation of remaining Americans numbering approximately one hundred in case of emergency.”
2. “March 29, 4 p.m. Some American businessmen and missionaries are [showing] great reluctance to leave, but quite a few, including several women, are leaving tonight on the Shasi, a small steamer, for Shanghai. Number will be telegraphed tomorrow. No more sailing for several days. No disturbances here so far except usual street speaking by propaganda squads and exorbitant charges for handling baggage and other incidentals of this character.”
3. Reliable reports received by military attache’s office are to the effect that while the Northern troop[s] experienced certain difficulties in regard to Kai[feng] they now hold place and Chengchow.
- Vice commander under Wu Pei-fu, but at this period he had joined the Nationalists.↩