793.94/9009: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, July 27, 1937—10
p.m.
[Received July 27—1:40 p.m.]
[Received July 27—1:40 p.m.]
307. Embassy’s 306, July 27, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- Apparently as a result of the breakdown of negotiations this afternoon, fighting between Japanese and Chinese broke out in the latter part of the afternoon at Huangtsun and Tuanho, which are near and south of Nanyuan. (Huangtsun is the town on the Peiping-Tientsin Railway to which allegedly retreated the Chinese troops of the 38th Division defeated at Langfang yesterday morning). Fighting seems to have stopped about 8 o’clock this evening, according to one usually reliable source, for the reason that the Chinese troops involved have been ordered to retire into Peiping to assist in defense of this city.
- 2.
- There are reports of one or two other engagements during late afternoon at points further away from Peiping. Tungchow and Tangshan (Hot Springs north of Peiping) are mentioned, but the clashes so far do not appear to be important.
- 3.
- Defenses in Peiping are being rapidly strengthened and increased.
Repeated to Nanking, Shanghai, Tokyo.
Lockhart