893.00/12–1348: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—2:49 a. m.]
431. Remytel 430, December 12. Government evacuation Tangshan not completed until late yesterday but not hindered by Communists who waited until all left before entering city 9 p. m. Limit Government control now Lutai. No ships available Tangku for south shipment Youth Corps.
Thirty foreign KMA staff remained Tangshan, including 1 American, 8 Belgians, 1 Swiss, balance British. American is Elmira Madden Williams, wife of William E. Williams of KMA staff; her home address: Care Joseph Yan, Seattle. KMA radio Tangshan broadcast message this morning: “All staff safe, everything in good order.”
KMA reports coal Tientsin and Tangku might be sufficient 2½ months essential services if carefully handled.
Sent Department 431; repeated Nanking 673, Shanghai 619, Peiping and Tsingtao.