393.1163/10–1148: Telegram
The Consul General at Tsingtao (Turner) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—11:40 a.m.]
156. Local missionary informs me that Christian Chinese long known to him arrived Tsingtao yesterday having left Tsinan October 2, bringing first authentic news of American community there. (Recent press report of welfare was apparently unfounded.)
All 8 Americans unharmed and well. Were courteously treated by Communist forces, promised food and urged to continue teaching. Communists instructed all schools to remain open and permit religious liberty. Was some talk of “down with US imperialism” but no hostility toward individuals. New mayor is graduate Mission School.
Cheeloo University practically unharmed. Hospital functioning as usual. Destruction of city estimated about 30 percent. Fires still burning when informant left. Hardly building in old city left undamaged.
People delighted to welcome Communists as relief from Nationalists who had alienated them by excesses and corruption. Communist soldiers well-behaved and well-disciplined and practically no irregular conduct. Wu Hu-wen popularly regarded as hero rather than traitor. Two of the 7 big flour mills destroyed. Money pegged at 1 gold yuan to 2,000 peihei. Flour selling at 25 Gy on October 2. Electric power and water restored September 30. In passing through Weihsien informant saw Russian in Chinese clothes. City was orderly. Busses and trains running, and prices steady.
Department please inform Board Presbyterian Foreign Missions, 156 5th Avenue, New York, of pertinent portions.
Sent Nanking 291, repeated Department 156.