893.00/1–1049: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin ( Smyth ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 11—5:21 a. m.]
33. Local Government military have surprised everyone, including Military Command, by quite vigorous resistance thus far. While not showing any offensive spirit, they have shown considerable tenacity in defense. Communists have gradually closed in around city and in most sectors Government troops are now behind defense moat circling city. Communists reportedly only penetrated defense moat once, last night in western sector, but were driven back by machine gun fire. Resistance of Government troops may be due to the fact they are being well-fed with repeated cash bonuses for those on front line. (While doing fairly well against Communists, military treatment of populace is pretty bad.)
Comparatively few casualties reported in hospitals considering heavy fighting reported. However, this is not accurate gauge of [Page 31] factual casualties as Government forces have no organization to bring in wounded. Only those few wounded who can come in by themselves get coolies or rickshas to help reach hospitals.
Government forces have made prodigal use of mortar, artillery and small arms, and [it] seems doubtful whether present rate ammunition consumption can be kept up very long unless Government has large reserve stock here. Estimate at least 80% gunfire up to now from Government side.
Communists thus far obviously refraining from any general shelling of city. Some Communists shelling inside defense moat is known such as interdiction fire on race course air strip but this limited so far to times when planes attempted to operate (with exception few shells January 7). Other shells in central station area and western line district but it seems clear Communists have been trying to avoid any really destructive shelling of city. Also observers note many of Communists’ shells which have fallen in city have fuses removed, indicating effort to limit destruction; no duds at airfield, however.
Communist operations against city so far seem to have been probing attacks attempting to find weak defense spot. Garrison Headquarters; officer remarked yesterday Communists have found city defense system and defenders much stronger than expected and he expressed opinion Communists might possibly sit down around city and wait for food to be exhausted. Believe Communists could take city if they made serious effort but they may not wish to sustain undue casualties or destroy parts of city by heavy shelling when waiting will accomplish same purpose. Mayor believes military food supplies sufficient for 3 months but Garrison Headquarters says not so much, civilian food supplies much less.
Since Government military retired to defense moat less than mile away and only open space between, our Consular houses definitely within Communist mortar and machine gun range. Houses nearly 3 miles from our office, as now impossible proceed to office at night, due strict curfew and tugger [trigger-] happy sentries, not to mention possibility interdiction by Communist gun fire or machine guns. Wellborn55 and I spending nights in town where we can reach office, if necessary. Houses visited daily. No damage so far, but we will be lucky if houses come through present situation intact, particularly if Communists choose that area for attack.
Sent Department 33, repeated Nanking 31, Peiping 27, Shanghai 28.
- Alfred T. Wellborn, Consul at Tientsin.↩