893.00/12–2048: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:56 p.m.]
471. Re Embtel 243, December 18, repeated Department 2568, Peiping 264, Shanghai 1289, Tsingtao. Mayor Tu called noon today. He said fighting occurred early this morning around Changkueichuang airfield, also at Peitsang 5 miles northwest Tientsin and Yangliuching 6 miles west of city (artillery audible 5 to 6 a.m.). He estimated present Communist strength Tientsin area at least 2 columns, 1 roughly north and east and 1 west. He expected in week to 10 days Communist strength would be increased enough to seriously attack city. Mayor then said he had just talked by voice radio with P. Chuan, who went Tsingtao to see Admiral Badger and now in Peiping.
Mayor said he could not hear Chuan clearly but gathered impression Admiral Badger told him Marines would be sent Tientsin. I said I had not heard Marines were coming.
Mayor intimated Tientsin would be defended to last ditch. He raised question protection foreigners event fighting or disturbances and said he was thinking over various ways to protect them such as possible concentration.
Opinion this office re dispatch Marines to Tientsin same as expressed Embtel 243, December 18,25 we feel highly possible any Marines sent here would be involved civil strife. Government officials here would welcome such involvement. Our opinion not conveyed to mayor.
Sent Nanking 703, repeated Department 471, Peiping, Tsingtao, Shanghai 645.