393.1111 Evenson, B./1: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:30 p.m.]
99. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“October 24, 3 p.m. I have received today the following letter dated October 18, 1930, from Loshan, Honan:
‘Dear Sir: Miss B. Evenson and I are at present at Loshan and held by the Chinese Communists Red Army, the First, and [which?] ask me to forward translation of their demands:
We two are held here because of financial difficulties and ask $400,000 for our release. On one side we ask the Consulate to help, on the other to approach Chiang Kai-shek to recognize the responsibility of protecting missionaries and likewise help to have us released. Further we request the American Consulate to push this method of paying the ransom in order that we may be released at an early date. Yours sincerely, Kristofer N. Tvedt, Bergliot Evenson.
Postscript. As I’m Norwegian citizen but belonging to the American organization will you kindly notify the Norwegian Consulate. K. N. T.’
On the back of the letter there is written in Chinese the following announcement: ‘It is requested that any reply be addressed to Tvedt and Evenson, care of the headquarters of the commander of the First Red Army of the Chinese Communist[s] at Kwangshui or thereabouts on the Pinghan Railway or to the addressee, care of the Protestant mission, Loshan.’
I have notified Norwegian Consulate concerning capture of Tvedt and have telegraphed General Ho Ying-chin at Chattercress [Chengchow] requesting that immediate steps be taken to effect release of Miss Evenson and have also make [made] similar requests locally of General Ho Chen-chun.
According to a letter received today from Doctor Skinsnes at Sinyang, Loshan was captured on 16th or 17th by same communist band that captured Reverend Nelson recently. Miss B. Evenson, who is registered at this Consulate under departmental approval 39311 of May 12, 1921, has a brother, O. R. Evenson, residing at 6553 Eleventh Avenue, Northwest, Seattle, Washington. Passport 82140 issued Miss Evenson August 12 [17], 1920.
Doctor Skinsnes states American Catholic Father, name unknown, escaped at Loshan by going over city wall as defending soldiers fled and bandits entered. There are two American Catholic missionaries registered at this Consulate from Loshan: namely, Reverend Thomas M. Megan, departmental approval April 4, 1928, 82601, departmental passport 283737 issued September 4, 1926; and Reverend Joseph V. Henkels of Turkey River, Iowa, departmental passport 1219C, dated September 21, 1928, father, Peter Henkels, Turkey River, Iowa. It is known that Father Megan was at Loshan October 15th.
[Page 205]The above missionaries have been repeatedly warned of the danger of remaining in the area affected. Repeated to the Department. Air mail to Nanking.”