Office of the Historian

893.00/13029: Telegram

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

Hankow [undated].
[Received April 19, 1935—9:55 a.m.]

11. My April 17, noon, to the Legation.90 Evacuation from Chengtu was advised by Defense Commissioner who asked that as a precaution all foreigners leave who could do so. Other local generals apparently considered evacuation not necessary. Evacuation women and children began 16th and continued 17th by boat, motor vehicles and airship. Letters from Chengtu dated April 16 and 17 state Americans not alarmed and are continuing work as usual; that reliable information military situation has improved within past 2 days; that Terig Hsi Hou91 has moved large force from Mienyang against Reds at Kiangyu which is key city guarding route to Chengtu; that 20 battalions from Kwangyuan are moving on Kienko and that reenforcements have been sent to Anhsien and Mienchu. Chengtu [Page 682] commander 28th Army informed Beech92 April 16th “Chengtu is now decidedly safe as troops are increased and defense works nearly completed”. Despatch of large number 21st Army from south Szechuan to Chengtu area stated in my telegram of April 15, 4 p.m.93 confirmed. Repeated to Department and Nanking.

Josselyn
  1. See telegram No. 157, April 17, 6 p.m., from the Minister in China, p. 680.↩
  2. Commander, 28th Army, in Szechwan.↩
  3. Dr. Joseph Beech, president of West China Union University, Chengtu.↩
  4. Not printed.↩