793.94/4508: Telegram

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

The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:

“March 1, 3 p.m. The Tencho Mavu from Dairen, specially chartered by Japanese military, landed 550 rifles, 12 fieldpieces, 80 machine guns and 3,150 cases of ammunition at Tangku yesterday and returned immediately to Dairen. The landing of so much Japanese war material under present circumstances has caused great concern at Tangku and considerable speculation at Tientsin. There are reported to be 2,000 Chinese troops at Tangku, 500 at Hsinho and 500 at Taku and 150 Japanese troops at Tangku. Martial law is being enforced at night at Tangku.

Repeated to the Department and Shanghai.”

Lockhart