893.00/10877: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

407. My 404, June 4, 6 p.m. Following from American Consul at Tsinanfu:

“June 4, 4 p.m. Shansi troops now are all along northern bank of Yellow River and have been directing artillery and rifle fire since daylight against Han’s men at Lokow, 5 miles north of Tsinanfu. A good many junks including some loaded with cargoes of American oil burned and sunk. City panicky as smoke of fires and boom of guns can be seen and heard. Shansi columns will probably try to cross to the east and west of Tsinanfu with the two railways as objectives. Am urging Americans here, particularly women and children, to leave.”

For the Minister:
Perkins