893.00/11172: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, September 7, 1930—6
p.m.
[Received September 7—3 p.m.]
[Received September 7—3 p.m.]
788. Following from Hankow:
“September 6, noon.
- 1.
- Air-mail aviator arriving here yesterday reports passing over a large town halfway between here and Kiukiang which was almost completely in flames. Aviator stated that he saw several bodies lying in the streets and practically all of the inhabitants gathered on the fore shore and taking to sampans and boats. Town is on right bank but could not be identified by the aviator, but it is between Hwangshihkang and Wusueh and is believed to be Hwangshangkow.
- 2.
- Communist forces began an attack on Shasi day before yesterday but were repulsed. Public Safety Bureau here now state that Shasi was captured by communist army last night. Four American citizens, names not known, took refuge on Japanese vessels. Reverend and Mrs. E. Zimmerman and one child and Miss Gertrude Simon of the Evangelical Lutheran mission are Americans registered here as residents of Shasi.
- 3.
- No material change in Changsha situation.
- 4.
- Chinese military authorities announce Feng’s troops now withdrawing along Kinhan front. American missionary arriving here from Yencheng, Honan, reports enormous massing of government troops that area, with air forces, and every indication of an impending major operation against Chengchow.”
Johnson