793.94/11085: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 12—3:20 p.m.]
963. My telegram No. 958, November 11, 8 p.m. Following the Japanese attack yesterday on the Chinese defenders of Nantao some [Page 679] 5000 have surrendered to the French during the past 24 hours. The small number still holding out is gradually being pushed back towards the concession and is expected to surrender shortly, thus terminating hostilities in the immediate vicinity of Shanghai. The many fires in Pootung and Nantao caused by military operations during the past 2 days are gradually dying down.
According to military observers, the Japanese continue to drive south and west and have been able to make rapid progress with their mechanized units. Both Chingpu and Anting, the latter town being 10 miles west of Nanhsiang, are reported to have been captured forcing the Chinese to withdraw from Nanhsiang. General Pai Chung Hsi is said to be at Kashing attempting to reform the Chinese forces to hold the Kashing–Soochow–Changshu line.
Repeated to Nanking and Peiping.