893.00/6–249: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao ( Hawthorne ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 2—1:33 p. m.]
235. All vessels evacuating Kmt troops and police departed Kiao-chow Bay June 020430 Z.75 Some units outside city abandoned as well as about 2,000 officers and men on pier No. 5 Tsingtao. All expected surrender rather than seriously resist. Three hundred armed men of fire brigade patrolling streets to maintain order have proven ineffective and looting and lawlessness fairly widespread. Three Americans and one Englishman known to have been robbed on streets of wallets and jewelry by armed men in mufti.
[Page 363]Communist[s] have entered city from two sides and detachment Communist troops passed by undersigned while returning office after lunch. Fully expect peace and order will be restored before nightfall.
Sent Nanking 173, repeated EmbOff Canton 81, Department 235.
- June 2, 4:30 a. m.↩