893.00/11401: Telegram

The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

35. My 34, April 9, 1 p.m. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:

“April 13, 11 a.m. My April 9, noon. Steamship Iping arrived Hankow yesterday afternoon. Captain Andersen informed me that he was in the act of turning and anchoring his vessel in response to signal from shore when national troops opened fire on vessel whereupon vessel proceeded ahead at full speed. The armed guard from the U. S. S. Guam which was not expecting an attack and which had partially packed up its equipment returned the fire. Captain Andersen stated that he had not received previous notice of establishment of inspection station at point of attack. He also stated that there were several casualties among the government troops and that General Koh, garrison commander at Ichang, has referred the matter to Nanking with the request that representations be made to the American Minister there. General Koh is also demanding that the names of all armed guard officers and men, dates of sailings and names of vessels [Page 955] be furnished military authorities before sailings. The vernacular newspapers at Ichang are proclaiming that armed guard opened fire first and that no less than 20 soldiers were killed. Incident has apparently created considerable feeling at Ichang.

Repeated to Nanking and to Department.”

Lockhart