393.11/1119: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
31. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“May 6, 5 p.m. In reply to an inquiry made of General Ho Chen-chun in the course of a call this morning as to whether Li Fong had been authorized to communicate to me on his behalf the advice described in my May 3, 3 p.m.,4 General Ho stated that he had informed Li Fong that foreigners residing in Honan in the war zone south of Yencheng should withdraw to Sinyangchow where protection will be afforded them by government troops and that foreigners residing in northwest Hupeh should withdraw to Siangyang and those in southwest Hupeh to Ichang. He stated that he did not advise withdrawal to Hankow but to the three places named and that Li Fong had not correctly stated the facts and has not been authorized to make representations on his behalf. General Ho Ying-chin, who had not been consulted by Li Fong, today advised withdrawal to Sinyangchow of Americans resident in Honan south of Yencheng. General Ho confirmed the statement that a general offensive will soon be launched and added that no Kuominchun troops are now in Hupeh.
Unless otherwise instructed, the policy of this office will be to advise American citizens to withdraw from the so-called danger zone to places of safety as herein described or to Hankow.
Repeated to Department and Nanking.”
- See telegram supra.↩