893.00/12896: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
581. Following telegram was sent by Peck on December 17th to commander of Yangtze patrol and repeated to Legation for information.
“Consul Atcheson stationed temporarily at Wuhu reports by telephone that supervising magistrate at Suancheng stated this morning that there are 6,000 well-armed Communists in southern Anhwei moving north. Tsingteh was recaptured December 15th. Fighting has been going on at Maolin today and Kinghsien may be taken tonight. If Government troops prevent Communists from entering Kinghsien they probably will head for Wuhu and the magistrate strongly recommends that foreigners around Wuhu concentrate there. Consul states that United States naval vessel at Wuhu would greatly reassure American citizens. I request that if possible vessel be stationed at Wuhu until advised emergency is over.[”]