893.00/8576: Telegram
The Consul at Tientsin (Berger) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 5—12:03 p.m.]
Tientsin quiet but considerable apprehension prevails. I am informed by an absolutely reliable eyewitness that the Kuominchun are moving through Shansi to Shihchiachuang [Schihchwang?] and have arrived at Niangtzekwan marching at night, Fengtien has no troops in that area neither are there troops in Tientsin or Peking sufficient to suppress disturbances which will occur when Kuominchun shall have reached its destination and Nationalist forces attack Hsüchowfu. Police in Tientsin and Peking cannot be depended on to maintain order, they have been thoroughly demoralized during the period of the Fengtien occupation. Agitators in Tientsin in large numbers well organized but are not openly active at present. Shansi students active politically. In case of emergency protection of life and property of Americans must be provided by ourselves, Chinese authorities cannot be relied upon. I have informed Americans in my district other than Peking that they should come to Tientsin as soon as practicable, 14 Americans at Shuman [Shunan?] will leave for Tientsin, 7th. Many Americans from Shansi en route or have arrived in Tientsin, about forty from Kiangsu have come to Tientsin.