893.00/13227: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—1 a.m.]
51. My telegrams of September 30, noon and October 4, 11 a.m.11 The Reds who turned eastward from Minhsien have penetrated deeper into eastern Kansu. Dividing into two bodies, one band moved southeastwards towards Linhsien and Liho and then turning north and proceeding by way of Tienshui and Kanku joined the other body, whose advance had been northeast past Changhsien and Kungchang, at Tungwei, 100 miles southeast of Lanchow on the Lanchow-Sian road. It is reported that they are threatening Tsingning, northeast of Tungwei and west of Pingliang, and it is possible that this may be an attempt to enter northern Shensi and join forces with the Reds there.
- 2.
- In southern Kansu the pressure on Minhsien and Taochow has been relieved, and persistent reports have it that the Reds’ main body is retiring southward towards [apparent omission] and their old haunts west of Sungpan in northwestern Szechuan.
- 3.
- The road to Sian being unsafe the missionary party in Lanchow have reverted to their original plan of proceeding down the Yellow River to Ningsia and Paotow, which the Kansu Chairman has advised them is safe. They have hired rafts and intend to start from Lanchow for Paotow and Peiping on Wednesday October 9. Their leader, Thornton [Thomas] Mosely of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, has asked me to telegraph to the Ningsia and other authorities along the route to Peiping a request for their protection. Ningsia not in this district but in view of emergency have today sent following telegram in Chinese to Chairman Ningsia Government.
“Party of 28 American and British missionaries leaving Lanchow Kansu by raft October 9 via Yellow River for Paotow and Peiping. Request instructions be issued Ningsia authorities along route afford them adequate protection.”
British Consul General has taken similar action. Bequest Embassy support plea for protection along route by such means as may be expedient. Repeated to Department, Peiping, Nanking.
- Neither printed.↩