893.00/9–2148: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 21—5:18 a. m.]
267. Re my 467, September 20.19 KBA [KMA] reports situation Chinwangtao returning to normal, Communists retiring, Peitaiho and Liushouying reoccupied by Government troops. Several bridges damaged, bridge 106 over Yangho seriously with four of seven spans blown. Railway at Chinwangtao hope slow traffic may resume 2 weeks but doubtful.
Chinese press today reports Government forces from east and west have met near Liushouying, but situation Changli uncertain.
One aim recent Communist attack apparently to wreck again railway east of Luan River only just restored to fairly good service after Communist attack in June. Unless more troops are provided, possibly by Nanking giving arms to some of Fu Tso-yrs partially trained but unarmed militia, there seems nothing to prevent future Communist attacks in same area for same purpose. If nothing is done, little coal can be sent to Chinwangtao for shipment Shanghai and Tsingtao.
Sent Nanking 472, repeated Dept 267, Shanghai 458, Peiping and Mukden.
- To the Embassy in China; repeated to the Department as telegram No. 264, not printed.↩