793.94/14145: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Linnell) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 23—7 a.m.]
Reliable foreign observers report that tanks flying the Japanese flag circled through the city and machine gunned some of the people. Evidently this was a flying column ahead of the Japanese forces.
Planes have been flying over the city continuously, chiefly observing and dropping pamphlets stating that good people will be accorded protection but that crooked persons will be punished, that the Japanese forces have now occupied North and Central China and have gained the confidence of the Chinese people there and enjoy their deep appreciation.
All shops are closed and the city is now practically deserted.
The Americans at Lingnan, Pakhoktung, Honam and Hackett Memorial Hospital still insist on staying in those places for the present. A number of Chinese-Americans have been sent to Lingnan, others were evacuated via Shekki and Macao this morning as reported [Page 509] and others have left Canton for the interior. It is believed that none are now in Canton city.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong.