893.00/10–247: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 3—8:08 a.m.]
295. Communists starting intense offensive. Have consolidated positions on railroads between Hsingcheng and point 20 kilos Ne Shan-haikwan. Control entire rail line except small portion immediate vicinity Suichung (mytel 421, September 3084). Early morning October 1 Communists destroyed 3 spans on each of 2 rail bridges at Hsinmin on Peiping–Liaoning railroad 60 kilos west of Mukden. Nationalists considering withdrawing crack troops from Chinchow area to reinforce garrison Hsinmin.
Mongolian cavalry troops moving east attacked and surrounded Faku (42.30–123.30) October 1. These forces moving east towards Kaiyuan. Other Communist forces in Hsifeng (42.45–124.55) moving west towards Kaiyuan. Bulk Nationalist forces Ssuping being held there because Nationalists believe Communist move towards Kaiyuan merely feint and real attack will be launched at Ssuping. Unconfirmed reports indicate Communists have cut rail line between Ssuping and Kaiyuan. Other unconfirmed reports indicate Communists attacking points on rail line between Changchun and Ssuping.
Communists cut Mukden–Yingkow railway at Haicheng October 1.
Sent Nanking 425, repeated Department as 295, Tientsin as 94, Changchun by mail as 282.
- Not printed.↩