793.94/13605: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 2—7 a.m.]
144. With reference to Japanese reports that one of their hospital ships was bombed by Chinese near Kiukiang, the captain of the U.S.S. Oahu reports that a Japanese hospital ship which went up river towards Kiukiang a short time ago was filled with troops when it passed Nanking. It is not likely that all these were wounded men as there would be no point in sending a shipload of casualties towards the front.
In this connection it has been noted that during the past few days a large number of Japanese hospital corps units have been coming into Nanking. Members of the Embassy staff, as well as other foreigners who have seen these units, all testify that while each man wears a Red Cross brassard on his arm, approximately 50% of the men are armed with rifles, and the officers and noncommissioned officers wear pistols.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Hankow and Peiping. Peiping please mail to Tokyo.