Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/9459: Telegram

The Consul at Tsinan (Allison) to the Secretary of State

Tsinan, August 17, 1937—4 p.m.
[Received August 18—6 a.m.]

1. Japanese Consul General, staff and entire Japanese community left here on special train this morning. Japanese Consul General requested me to meet Mr. Hidaka and staff of Embassy from Nanking who passed through this afternoon. Mr. Hidaka expressed appreciation for courtesies extended by American Embassy.²⁵

2. Sixteen Americans from interior passed through here for Tsingtao today and 4 more expected to do so tomorrow. Including myself, 28 Americans remain in Tsinan, of whom 21 are Catholic sisters and priests. Refusal of local banks to cash Shanghai checks is causing hardship and it has been necessary for me personally to assist several Americans so that they may leave the interior. In an interview with General Han²⁶ this morning he stated definitely that the 51st [Group Army?] consisting of two divisions under the command of Yu Hsueh Chung is along the Kiautsi Railway.

I have been reliably informed that all silver dollars in Tsinanfu which General Han has previously refused to permit to leave the province are now being shipped to Hankow under orders from the Generalissimo.

Repeated to Department and Peiping.

Allison

25. The Ambassador in Japan in his telegram No. 280, August 18, 9 p.m., quoted a letter of appreciation from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, (793.94/9483).
26. Chairman of Shantung Provincial Government.