793.94/6282½: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 15—9:50 a.m.]
439. 1. Japanese forces have captured Shihsia between Kupeikow and Miyun. Fighting there has been very severe with much loss of life on the part of the Chinese who have been fighting desperately against better equipment on air and land. Advance from Chinwangtao of Japanese troops is proceeding along old government road connecting Chinwangtao with Peiping through Tungchow. Japanese military at Tientsin have informed newspaper correspondents that they propose to take Tungchow and will there stop advance. I have considered it wise to advise American women and children to be evacuated from Tungchow.
2. Peiping quiet but there have been many departures of Chinese. Police have erected sandbag protection at street corners and police stations during last 3 or 4 days doubtless due to reports that with the approach of the Japanese disturbances within the city might be created. It has not seemed necessary to take steps to evacuate women and children from places in the city and particular place of safety (1st) because of the danger of starting a panic in the city, (2d) because there does not seem to exist any real danger within the city. We feel that Americans will be safer in their homes.
3. Huang Fu is expected here day after tomorrow. I understand that he comes with some idea of trying to arrange an armistice for cessation of hostilities pending some settlement of the greater problems involving Manchuria and other questions.
4. Japanese advance with attendant fighting and death or wounding of many thousands of Chinese soldiers who have been putting up an ineffectual defense seems to me a cold-blooded attempt to bring into existence by force conditions more favorable to Japanese policy. Repeated to Tokyo.