793.94/14156: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Linnell) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—8:30 a.m.]
15. Japanese officers visited Shameen today and stated the Japanese Army would not enter in force. Only a few of the principal centers such as Civic Center, Government Headquarters, et cetera, would be occupied. They demand that the telephone system be put in operation as quickly as possible and I am endeavoring to arrange conferences between Mr. Rhame of the China Electric Company which is managing the Canton Telephone Administration and the Japanese proper authorities.
Japanese aircraft are dropping many leaflets stating that no harm will be done to innocent people, that there will be no harsh treatment, no looting and in general attempting to persuade the people to return to their homes and occupations.
There are refugees under the auspices of Americans as follows: at Pakhoktung in three groups about 1000, at Mingsum School for the Blind in Fonggett about 600, at Lingnan University about 700. Today it is intended to transfer 120 more across the river from the Baptist Hospital at Tungshan to Lingnan.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong.