893.22/19: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State

1092. The following telegram has been sent to the commander in chief:

“December 5, 6 p.m. 1. Following telegrams have been received from the Consul at Nanking:

‘December 5, 11 a.m. My December 4, noon.27 Tientsin-Pukow Railway official states that mutinous troops are intrenching themselves on railway at Wuyi some thirty miles north of Pukow. The Government has ordered portions of the Third and Fifth Divisions in Nanking to Pukow and Puchen and is moving troops from points along the Shanghai-Nanking Railway to Nanking. Eight[h] Division arrived last night from Chinkiang. Local coolies are being impressed for military labor.

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The magnitude of preparations which Government is making indicates that it does not consider the revolt a local affair. There is a distinct nervousness amongst high officials.

Shanghai, Tientsin and Hankow informed.’ And

‘December 5, 1 p.m. My December 5, 11 a.m. I suggest that it would be prudent to have an American naval vessel at Nanking.’

2. In view of the situation outlined in the telegram first quoted above I concur in Adams’ recommendation that a naval vessel should be despatched to Nanking.”28

Perkins
  1. Not printed.
  2. The U.S.S. Tulsa was ordered to Nanking (893.22/19).