893.00/13383: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China ( Lockhart ) to the Secretary of State

110. In view of the reported movements of considerable Communist forces into western Shansi Province, the Embassy suggested to Consul [Page 506] General Caldwell at Tientsin59 on February 29 that it might be advisable to issue warnings to Americans in Fenchow and other apparently dangerous areas. Caldwell telegraphed on that day to American Board Mission at Fenchow and to James Mellow at Siaoyi, advising their removal to place of greater safety, unless conditions were definitely safe at their posts. He also addressed warning letters to missionaries in Hungtung, Kiehsiu and Pingyao.

Consul General Caldwell telegraphed on February 29 to General Yen Hsi Shan, Pacification Commissioner of Shansi at Taiyuan, requesting that adequate measures be taken to protect Americans in areas affected by incursion of Communist troops. General Yen telegraphically replied saying that adequate measures would be taken. Caldwell has furnished General Yen a list of Americans known to be in affected area.

American Board Mission, Peiping, received letter this morning, dated at Taiku, March 1, from an American missionary, reporting that four American women, one man and two children of the Fenchow Mission had arrived at Taiku. Three men and five women apparently still remain in Fenchow. The writer stated that the latest information received in Taiku indicated that the Communists, who were reported on February 28 to be at Wucheng (30 miles west of Fenchow) had been driven back and that 3,000 troops of General Shang Chen had arrived at Siaoyi.

Chinese reports from Taiyuan, dated March 3, state that seven districts in western Shansi are now in the hands of the Communists, whose strength is estimated at between 10,000 and 20,000 men. Officials at Taiyuan admitted severe reverse at the hands of the Communists but stated that a counterattack was being launched.

Repeated to Nanking.

Lockhart
  1. John Kenneth Caldwell.