793.94/13032: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Amoy (Altaffer) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 17—7:20 a.m.]
Amoy Island and City occupied by Japanese and under martial law. City and rest of the island almost completely deserted, about 60,000 Chinese taking refuge in International Settlement [at] Kulangsu. Japanese have ordered few remaining Chinese to evacuate.
Senior Consul, Commander [of] Asheville, with Commander of the South China Patrol, called on Japanese Rear Admiral Migata and arranged for transfer of 5,000 bags of rice from Amoy to Settlement temporarily averting serious food shortage, also arranged for obtaining water supply from reservoir in Amoy. Arrangements were made through this office for shipment of food supplies from Hong Kong and have requested American Red Cross [at] Manila [to] send two Red Cross units fully equipped to assist with sanitary work of Settlement, which so far satisfactory but personnel and supplies inadequate in case of emergency.
Situation in Amoy quiet and also in Settlement, although American and British marines and local police patrol Settlement. Twenty-nine Americans safe in International Settlement. I have not been able communicate with nine Americans on mainland but messenger sent today.
To Hankow. Repeated to Peiping, Canton, Shanghai, Swatow, Foochow and Hong Kong.