793.94/11330: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China ( Atcheson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
965. 1. My British and German colleagues and I called yesterday evening on General and Mrs. Chiang Kai-shek who yesterday morning were planning to leave today but who are still here.
We inquired concerning plans for the administration of the city and related questions affecting foreign residents. Early in the conversation Chiang said that the administration of the city would be turned over to the military; later he stated that a small part of the Municipal Government would continue to function. He said that preparations had been made to defend the city from both outside and inside the walls. The German Secretary asked if some high civil official could not remain during the turning over. Mrs. Chiang stated that official would then become a hostage to the Japanese and that after the Chinese left the city responsibility for whatever happened and for maintenance of order would rest with the Japanese.
2. Toward us they were very candid and friendly but toward any of the problems suggested by our inquiry we received the impression that they were really indifferent; that they had accepted as fact that Nanking would fall, that its fate was no longer any concern of theirs.
3. At the daily meeting of foreigners with Chinese officials defense commander General Tang Sheng Chih stated that, (1) foreigners who have no urgent business here should leave for their own safety, (2) there had been and will be disorders in the city because many of the troops in the area are of comparatively poor training and discipline, (3) strict precautions have been and will be taken to keep the soldiery in hand, (4) any troops falling back from the front and entering the city will do so in the knowledge that they will not leave Nanking alive, (5) he was determined to afford all possible protection to foreign lives and property. He explained that his warning under (1) above was personal and not official. As consequence of the warning the British evacuation plans are being expedited.
4. In response to questions he and the Mayor said that water and telephone services would be maintained by skeleton staffs. According to the Postal Commissioner, postal service there will cease in about 2 days.
5. Minister of Health returned yesterday evening but plans to leave again tomorrow.
6. Repeated to Hankow, Peiping, Shanghai.