793.94/13355: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Gourley) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 1—8:30 a.m.]
Embassy’s telegram June 1, 4 p.m. Following is monthly telegraphic summary for June.
[Page 388]City of Tsingtao was quiet throughout June. Japanese continued to keep garrisons along railway but traffic on railway was stopped from June 23 to June 26 during which time track was damaged in at least 3 places beyond Chengyang a station about 20 miles from Tsingtao and 1 freight train was reported to have been derailed and looted by guerrillas. It is generally predicted that guerrilla activities near railway are on increase with growth of Kaoliang. American citizen tobacco buyers fearing isolation at Ershihlipu returned to Tsingtao believing that situation will not improve for at least 6 weeks.
Away from the railway the Japanese are far from in control of the situation. Pingtu and Chucheng have been evacuated. Tsimo, 30 miles from Tsingtao, is one of the few towns off the railway in Japanese hands but Japanese are not in possession of surrounding area and main road is damaged frequently. Ichowfu or Lini is reported more or less stirred by Chinese guerrillas but Japanese garrison there has sufficient supplies to hold out for some time. Guerrillas are active very close to Tsingtao in mountainous regions to northeast. By damaging roads and bridges guerrillas make it difficult or impossible for Japanese to keep garrisons in interior towns.
Unsuccessful in meeting guerrilla tactics Japanese are following policy of dropping bombs from airplanes on numerous villages in almost all parts of this general area. According to missionary reports bombs are often dropped on village market days killing many innocent civilians. Foreign missions are endangered by this bombing policy. American Southern Baptist Mission School compound at Pingtu were bombed on June 15th with much damage to buildings. American Lutheran Mission girl school compound at Tsimo was bombed on June 25 with great harm to buildings. Fortunately Americans escaped injury but at Tsimo 1 American was in great danger. Motives for these bombings are unknown. Swedish Baptist [Mission] at Chungcheng also threatened, requested protection. On June 16 a Japanese sentry slapped Chinese steward, regularly enlisted member of U. S. S. Trunnsmell.
On June 17 Japanese civilian member [of] Japanese military special mission arbitrarily seized keys of 126 bathing boxes belonging to foreign Consuls and other foreigners, in some cases throwing away contents. One week later keys were returned with explanation that seizure was a mistake. On the 25th of June Japanese naval gendarmes seized keys, smashed notices and removed some furniture from the International Recreation Club in which Americans invested. Naval authorities later admitted [announced] seizure was however mistake but still wish to use club premises. New regulations prevent importation and use of short wave radio.
Sent to Peiping. Repeated Hankow and by mail to Tokyo.