793.94/12650: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 15—9:30 a.m.]
170. Embassy’s 132, February 25, 5 p.m., and 139, February 28, 3 p.m.85 An American of the American Board of Mission at Fenchow has arrived at Peiping and states that Fenchow was taken by Japanese February 17; that all Americans there were uninjured; that the only casualty among Chinese associated with the mission was the gateman, who was killed; that mission buildings suffered considerable damage from Japanese artillery and riflle fire, for which a claim is being prepared; that Japanese have since not disturbed the mission except by visits of inspection; that he had to wait 10 days to receive a pass to leave Fanchow because of alleged presence of irregulars between [Page 293] Fenchow and Taiku; that there was considerable looting and raping in Fenchow by Japanese and some shooting of civilians; that a large proportion of the population had fled, however, prior to the occupation; and that there is widespread guerrilla activity in Shansi.
Repeated to Hankow, by courier to Tokyo and Tientsin.
- Neither printed.↩