393.11/1107: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24—7:22 a.m.]
Your telegram of April 22, 4 p.m., and my reply of April 23, 9 p.m.,95 concerning situation at Kanchow.
Father Moehringer says they actually received two letters from Kanchow dated April 6, one from Bishop O’Shea and the other from Father Cahill. Both said the outcome at Kanchow was very uncertain and that there was no hope except in God.
Father Moehringer says that while at Lungnan, Kiangsi, on April 13, he received reliable information from various sources to show that all the larger cities south of Kanchow in Kiangsi were in the hands of so-called Communists and that Communists were headed for Kanchow by two routes. Communist forces are estimated at 7,000 men scattered through area mentioned, with many armed bandits and disorganized troops in addition.
70th Regiment under General Chin Han-ting is understood still to be at Kanchow but has not been paid for five months and probably would not be strong enough to protect city if unassisted, and may refuse to fight. Father Moehringer says 71st Regiment has mutinied and disappeared and he feels positive telegraph wires out of Kanchow [Page 105] have been destroyed and all means of communication with outside controlled by Communists and bandits. He is also positive that approximately 25 foreigners, including 8 American Sisters, 4 of whom arrived from country districts, are still at Kanchow.
Cantonese authorities have promised to consider plans for sending relief expedition into Kiangsi provided Kiangsi Government forces will cooperate. It is for this reason that I have suggested that the Legation urge upon Nanking the importance of instructing the authorities in Kwangtung and Kiangsi to cooperate in bringing relief to foreigners in Southern Kiangsi.
If Department has information tending to show that foreigners have evacuated Kanchow subsequent to April 6th or are now safe, I trust I may be informed immediately in order to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Department, Legation and Hankow informed.
- Neither printed.↩