393.11/1117: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:45 p.m.]
29. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“May 3, 3 p.m. Li Fong, special minister for foreign affairs, unofficially called on me this morning and stated that he had been instructed by General Ho Chen-chun, chairman of the Hupeh Provincial Government, to inform me that impending military operations against Feng Yu-hsiang prompts him to request that all foreigners resident at interior points in Hupeh and in the territory south of Yencheng, Honan, withdraw at once to Hankow where protection can be afforded them. Colonel Li stated that National troops are being concentrated in northern Hupeh and southern Honan and that many small towns and villages will in consequence be unprotected thus subjecting foreigners resident therein to danger from bandit raids and the activities of roving bands of Communist troops. Mr. Li stated that a telegram had been received by him last night from Dr. C. T. Wang directing him to make the same request of consular representatives at Hankow. Mr. Li particularly emphasized the necessity of the withdrawal of foreigners from southern Honan and northern Hupeh and he informed me, quite confidentially, that the National Government has now changed its plan from one of defensive fighting to one of offensive. To substantiate this statement he replied that large numbers of troops are now being despatched up the railway from Hankow. It is quite evident that decisive developments are expected to occur soon. For the first time in some weeks military circles are showing signs of great activity.
The request of General Ho and Dr. C. T. Wang has been communicated to my colleagues at Mr. Li’s request and I shall also endeavor at once to inform American citizens at interior points of the advice above mentioned although it is quite likely that but few of them will heed it.
Repeated to Department and Nanking.”