793.94/13882: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Linnell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:40 p.m.]
A building of the Presbyterian Mission at Hoihow, Hainan Island, was bombed by a Japanese plane on September 9th. Details have been requested so that a claim for damages may be presented. On same day Standard Vacuum Oil Company’s plant at Hoihow was reported bombed and machine gunned. American flags were prominently displayed. The Chinese Government has not yet made a report to this office and Canton office of company has no information concerning attack.
The Kwangtung Provincial Government has circularized all counties in that province directing the distribution of food sufficient for 3 months’ consumption.
The local press reports the building of an aerodrome by the Japanese on island near Macao which they have intended when completed to accommodate 70 planes. The runways are big enough for heavy bombers. Underground hangars and anti-aircraft installations are included as is also a wireless station.
An official Chinese report states that 32 Japanese planes dropped 80 bombs on Liuchow, Kwangsi, on September 13th. Of three Chinese planes there one was shot down and pilot killed.