393.1163 Nantungchow/4: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:42 p.m.]
493. Tokyo’s 294, August 21, 2 p.m. Report here is that Nantungchow was bombed on August 17 at about 9:00 a.m. Six bombs dropped on or near Christian Hospital, with the result that main hospital building decidedly destroyed by bombs and fire, one missionary residence completely ruined, one girls’ middle school gymnasium total loss and minor injuries to other buildings. Lives lost include 2 [Page 277] Chinese doctors, several student nurses, about 30 patients and several workmen. The 2 Americans at the place unharmed.
With reference to paragraph 4 of Tokyo’s telegram, it will be well nigh impossible for us to collect specific information regarding location of American property throughout areas now apparently subject to bombing, not only because of difficulty of communication, but because in many cases Americans are being evacuated.
As regards markings at night, we must be guided by local Chinese regulations which in the case of Nanking require us to darken our houses. Displaying lights contrary to local regulations would involve us in local difficulties, perhaps more dangerous than from bombs. Moreover effective illumination at night would be impossible in Nanking, and possibly elsewhere, because electric current is cut off during air bombardment.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Department and Tokyo.