393.1163/782: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14—6 a.m.]
22. Department’s 32, January 12, 7 [4] p.m., sent via Shanghai and my January 8, 4 p.m. Methodist Mission building burned on or about December 28th, according to responsible American citizens. Boys school buildings of United Christian Mission burned between December 24th and 27th on which dates an American member of the mission visited the property 24th [sic]. He told me last night that the buildings were intact on December [24?]. All the above property is [Page 234] located near Taiping Road and districts in the south city known to have been burned by Japanese. Also residents have stated to me that they saw no Chinese on the above property except those authorized to be there while they often saw Japanese soldiers on or near the property.
With regard to circumstances reported by American residents as mentioned in third paragraph of my January 8, 4 p.m., I have on file in the Embassy statements signed by responsible American citizens setting forth many cases where the American flag was torn down or where American and Japanese Embassy proclamations were deliberately disregarded. Six such cases occurred on property of Nanking University alone while others took place at Ginling College, the American School, and that [sic] at residences in addition to the incident at Texas Company installation previously reported. These Americans have expressed a willingness to make sworn affidavits should it be deemed advisable.
Further reports of outrages by Japanese armed forces against Americans and their property continue to be received almost daily. The most recent occurred on the night of January 12th when Japanese soldier climbed over the wall of Nanking University Middle School and after firing twice within a class room filled with refugees seized a girl and went out over the wall. On the afternoon of January 10th an armed Japanese soldier forced the gateman of Nanking Theological Seminary to take him to third floor of administration building where he seized a large quantity of candles. On the afternoon of January 11th Japanese military police entered residence of M. S. Bates, American professor at Nanking University, and removed a Chinese who had been Japanese interpreter at the University Middle School without asking permission or explanation. Last two incidents were used as a basis for the protest reported in my 21, January 13, noon.
Repeated to Embassy, Hankow, and Shanghai.