393.1163Am3/81: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—10:05 a.m.]
1070. In response to telegraphic appeal sent to Lazarist Mission at Shanghai by Bishop O’Shea at Kanchow, Kiangsi, and repeated to me by Cunningham, I have telegraphically instructed Adams26 to deliver the following to the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that American member of Catholic Mission at [Kanchow,] Kiangsi, has telegraphically reported the capture by bandit troops of nearby cities, stating that a serious situation exists and that the Government troops are leaving the mission unprotected. They request that the commanding officer of the Twelfth Division be directed not to withdraw his forces. I am informed that there are 18 American citizens in the mission, 6 nuns and 12 priests. I have the honor to request that Your Excellency will take immediate steps for the effective protection of the American citizens at Kanchow.”
- Walter A. Adams, Consul at Nanking.↩