393.1111 Nelson, Bert N./81: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—10:15 a.m.]
27. My 26, March 21, 1 p.m.21 The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“March 23. My March 21, 1 p.m. Telegram has been received from Dr. Skinsnes stating that ‘Messengers provided with Kwangshan magistrate’s pass and on strength of this pass escorted by local militia were robbed by comrades of escort. Magistrate’s name Cheng Chao-kung and head of militia’s name Chiu Ju-hsien.’
Telegram does not state whether money or medicines or both were seized by comrades of the escort furnished by the magistrate. I have requested General Ho Chen-chun at Hankow and General Liu Chih at Kaifeng to telegraph the magistrate urging that robbers be apprehended and stolen goods recovered. Robbery of messengers is disappointing but not wholly unexpected.
As a result of interviews with Chinese authorities on Saturday and Sunday a telegram has been sent to General Hsia Tou-ying at Macheng instructing him to effect rescue of Nelson and Tvedt and to lend cooperation to a brother of Nelson22 and two other gentlemen who left for Macheng this morning by motor car with an escort of one officer and two men. The persons proceeding this morning are carrying personal letters from General Ho to General Hsia at Macheng. Will telegraph in next few days what progress if any is being made by this plan.
Repeated to Nanking and to Department.”