893.00/5–2447: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 24—7:45 a.m.]
115. Reference to my 99, May 23, 8 p.m.21 Dixon reported Communists arrived Changli early morning Sunday May 18 and captured railway station, few hundred yards from Mission (which is just outside city wall) after fighting in which half of 300 Government troops engaged became casualties. Communist casualties not known as all taken away. City gates burned and city captured with little fighting. Communists departed borders without much fighting. Total Communists Changli unknown, possibly 100,000 or more. Dixon said most Communists were young boys 15 or 16. Communists came from Tsunhua and Chienan, possibly Jehol.
Citrus market very thoroughly looted during which “quite a few” civilians killed. Communists chiefly interested cloth and flour. Government buildings burned.
Shortly after arrival, Communists entered Mission residential, school and hospital compound and thoroughly looted all. Dixon estimates residences 95% looted, school 90%, from 80-bed hospital all equipment including all beds, X-ray, surgical instruments, medicines, et cetera taken, about 100% looted. Communists brought carts and commandeered others to carry loot. One mission residence, which housed CNRRA21a personnel, burned.
Dixon said Communists did not physically molest them, but expressed bitter anti-American sentiments over alleged “pro-Chiang” American policy. At 6 a.m., May 18, Communists rounded up 200 or 300 boys from Mission middle school and 50 girls from Mission girls’ school, also Chinese school principals, and marched them 7 miles in hills “to educate them, as they were too American”.
Along with this group, they took 3 American ladies, Dr. Clara Nutting, Miss Lois Battin and Miss Pansy Griffin, aged 50 and above. For 2 days group was lectured. During same time Chinese school principals had continuous discussion with Communist leaders and finally convinced them Americans and students should be released because (1) purpose school was not pro-Chiang Kai-shek but educate Chinese youth life work; (2) American missionaries were not representatives of the Government of United States but were there spread Christianity and help Chinese youth education; (3) if Americans and Chinese students were taken away prisoners, Communists’ cause would receive very bad publicity in China and the United States. [Page 144] Dixon said third argument apparently most effective. On May 20, Communists escorted the 3 Americans and all Chinese students back to Chang Li. No one was harmed.
Communists endeavored to take away Dixon, Winans and Dewey but [they] refused on the ground that they must remain with the other ladies (Mrs. Dewey, Mrs. Winans and Miss Dora Fearon) who were sick; sickness mostly due to fright and they are not now well.
Sent Nanking, Tientsin 102, Shanghai 105, Dept 115, and Mukden, Peiping.